Pradeep Singh

A day after a survey adjudged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as the Number 1 CM in the country, Opposition parties in Odisha raised a plethora of questions while highlighting the 'sorry' state of affairs in the State, on Friday.

Congress spokesperson Jagenswar Babu launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJD by alleging that neither land nor is water safe under the Naveen government in Odisha.

Taking a dig at the Odisha CM, Babu said though 'Naveen became the Number 1 in mining, health and even food supplies, the State could never become Number 1'.

He further said while other states have a monthly pension scheme of around Rs 1000-Rs 1500 for senior citizens, people in Odisha get a paltry amount of Rs 500 only, which is the lowest in the country.

State BJP general secretary, Golak Mohapatra linked the Odisha Chief Minister getting adjudged as the Number 1 CM to 'a backbencher claiming to be the Number 1 student in a class'. 

CM Naveen has failed the people and the State. Healthcare and education systems is in shambles in Odisha where hospitals don't have doctors, schools and colleges don't have teachers, alleged Mohapatra. 

"Apart from health and education, rape and child abduction cases have become a regular affair in the State. "And, still, him (Naveen Patnaik) getting adjudged as the Number 1 CM is like a backbencher claiming to be the topper of the class," he said.

Responding to the allegations, BJD MP Subhash Singh said CM Naveen has been appreciated for Covid-19 management, which was even recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"He (CM Naveen) also extended help to other states during the pandemic. By managing the pandemic and saving lives while bearing all the expenses, Odisha has set an example for others," claimed Singh.

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