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With the BJP returning to power in four states, including Uttar Pradesh, Odisha BJP president Samir Mohanty on Friday attributed the party's performance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity, governance model and welfare policies for poor.
Mohanty said the victory of BJP in the four states proved that people have unshakable faith in the leadership of PM Modi. "The BJP has been fighting for the cause of the people of Odisha and also to safeguard the interests of the poor. People have given us the responsibility and we are well aware of our duties," he said.
On the party's plan for the ensuing Urban Local Body (ULB) polls in Odisha, Mohanty said people are the king in a democracy, and hence, the BJP will reach out to people and highlight the achievements of the party. "We hope, the BJP will do well in the urban polls," he added.
Meanwhile, BJD MP Amar Patnaik said that the BJP's performance in the four states will not have any impact on the 2024 general elections in Odisha. "Odisha will go to the general polls after two years (2024). Be it 2014 or 2019, BJP's performance at the national level never impacted the Assembly polls in Odisha. Rather, the vote share of the BJD increased in the elections," he said.
The ruling BJD's performance was much better in the recently concluded Panchayat elections in Odisha and in 2024, the party will perform much better as compared to its achievements in 2019, claimed Patnaik.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati also opined in similar line. Dismissing any impact of the BJP’s performance on Congress, Bahinipati said, “If the Congress leaders in Odisha stop running after the OPCC chief post and the CM post, the party will come out with flying colours (in the elections) in the State.