Launching a scathing attack on the ruling BJD government, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar targeted Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and said the State is being ruled the latter’s friend.
Addressing the public at Sankalp Samabesh in Nabarangpur, the Congress leader said, “BJD is the D-team of BJP. Here elected representatives don’t run the government. CM Naveen’s friend is ruling the State.”
He also made light of the CM’s grip on Odia language and said “I am better than your CM, as I can understand a little bit of Odia.”
Coming down heavily on the Narendra Modi government, Kumar, a former JNU student’s union leader, said, “The Centre has spent over Rs 5,000 crore for promotions only. Many unemployed youths would have got jobs if the money was spent on them.”
“The country needs the oldest party and I request you to support Congress in the upcoming Panchayat elections,” urged Kumar.
Speaking on the occasion, party leader Jignesh Mevani termed Odisha as the ‘den of corporate loot’.
“Odisha has emerged as the den of corporate loot. The land and forest belonging to farmers and tribals are being snatched from them and handed over to corporate houses in the name of industrialisation,” alleged Mevani.
Notably, Congress is holding Sankalp Samabesh ahead of the Panchayat elections in the State. Along with Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mevani, Chhattisgarh Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, Bihar in-charge Bhakta Das and Koraput MP attended the function today.