With the next Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha just around a year away, Opposition BJP in Odisha has decided to intensify its attack against the ruling BJD over burning issues like alleged corruption in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, mandi mismanagement and deterioration in law and order.
Elaborate discussions were held at the State-level office bearers meeting of the saffron party in presence of Odisha BJP in-charge D Purandeswari, State President Samir Mohanty and other leaders. The focus of the meeting was to strengthen the party at the booth level, to raise issues of corruption and mismanagement in various schemes and make people aware about various welfare schemes undertaken by the Narendra Modi government. The party has decided to intensify agitations over various issues like lapses in PMAY scheme, irregularities in paddy procurement, deterioration in the law and order situation of the State, rising unemployment among others. As per party sources, the discussed proposals will be approved in the State executive meeting on Sunday.
“The tentative PMAY lists have around 2.5 lakh ineligible beneficiaries. We will resort to agitations over corrupt practices of the State government,” said State BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan.
Meanwhile, BJD has refuted the allegations.
“Odisha has been an example for the whole country in effective implementation of PMAY. Those who are blaming the State government are indulging in petty politics. However, they don’t have the courage to face the people over the issue as people know about the truth very well. This is why they are extending their support to Naveen Patnaik- led government,” said Prashant Muduli, the government chief whip.
Besides political issues, proposal of thanksgiving will also be on agenda in BJP's State executive meet.
Odisha BJP will thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing welfare schemes like distribution of rice under NFSA, houses under PMAY and loans to SHGs. Moreover, a final decision will be taken about putting up banners with thank you note to PM Modi in front of all the public distribution system centers.
“We will touch every family and individuals availing rice, water, house, toilets and electricity thorough Centre’s schemes and make them aware about it. The State government is trying to take credit of these schemes without doing anything,” said Odisha BJP General Secretary, Lekhashree Samantasinghar.
However, as per political analysts, BJP needs to strengthen their party organisation at the grassroots level apart from the planned agitations.
“There are many issues like PMAY lapses, mandi mismanagement and corruption over which BJP can raise voice and start agitations. However, the main thing they should focus is to strengthen their party base at the grassroots level,” said senior Journalist, Rabi Das.