The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday attacked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, saying his visit disappointed the Western Odisha people.
Launching a broadside against the Chief Minister, BJP leader Pradeep Purohit alleged that the motive behind his visit to Western Odisha is nothing but to woo voters.
“The main objective of the CM’s visit is how to garner more votes by misleading the people of Western Odisha. Today he repeated what he had said earlier. He has disappointed the people in Sohela. During these 23 years, the people of Western Odisha voted BJD leaders to power. But their problems, like farmers’ paddy problem, are still there,” lambasted Purohit.
“In 2016, he (the CM) had said his government would spend Rs35,000 crore for the development of Western Odisha. Seven years have since passed, but the money couldn’t be spent. It is the Central government that has constructed the bridges on which the Biju Express Way has been laid out,” he added.
Congress too didn’t lose the opportunity to hit out at the government.
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said, “It seems to me Naveen Babu doesn’t understand what development means. For the development of a state or a nation, the development of education is necessary. In Odisha, schools are running without teachers. To get votes, the government refurbished the schools. But renovation has nothing to do with education. For this good teachers at good salaries are required.”
“During these 23 years of Naveen Babu’s government, the worst neglected sector is the education sector. One thing Naveen Babu knows well is how to win elections. He has done a PhD in how to win elections by dint of advertisement,” Mishra added.
In this regard, the reaction of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) could not be obtained.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Biju Express Way in Bargarh district’s Sohela. On this occasion, he said, “I believe in deeds, not words. The Biju Express Way is not just a road; it is the lifeline of the people. It will write the history of a new era of development.”
In Sohela, the CM laid the foundation stones of 86 projects and inaugurated as many as 149 projects. The budget outlay of these projects is Rs 217 crore.
On the occasion of the Panchayati Raj Diwas and the birth anniversary of legendary leader Biju Patnaik, the CM made a marathon tour. He visited Bargarh, Nuapada and Kalahandi.
(Reported by Harihar Chand, OTV)