Terming Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ‘a lier’, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that Patnaik’s announcement on eradication of poverty is a blatant lie and the State is lagging far behind in poverty alleviation.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, BJP Spokesperson, Satyabrat Panda said, “Odisha lags behind in many areas including poverty eradication.”
“Earlier, the Governor of Odisha, quoting State government figures, said that the State will bring down poverty to five percent of the population in the next five years. However, in just about a month, during the BJD foundation day on Sunday, Patnaik contradicted the Governor’s statement. The CM assured people of the State that he will bring down the poverty to 10 percent of the population in the next five years,” Panda said.
“By doing this, the ruling party is not only deceiving the voters, but it also has insulted the Constitutional Head, the Governor of the State,” he added.
The Opposition BJP on Saturday had accused the Odisha government of modifying its order pertaining to restrictions on Christmas and New Year celebrations in order to continue with the ruling Biju Janata Dal's Foundation Day celebrations on December 26.
The BJP in a statement claimed that the order issued by the Odisha government on Friday restricting all activities involving gathering due to Omicron threat was originally to be implemented from December 25 till January 2. However, hours after the order was issued, the State government modified the order stating that the restriction will be imposed only on December 25 and from December 31 till January 2.
The BJD celebrated its 25th Foundation Day on December 26 (Sunday).