Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday took charge of the BJP’s campaigning ahead of the fourth and final phase of polling in Odisha. She attended a series of public meetings in different areas which would go to polls in the last leg of crucial 2024 elections scheduled to be held on June 1, 2024.
After Kujang, Smriti Irani addressed a massive public meeting at Aul in Kendrapara from where BJP National Vice-President and Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Panda is contesting.
While canvassing for Baijayant Panda and other MLA candidates, Smriti Irani began her address in Odia and highlighted several issues concerning the state. She also praised Baijayant Panda’s efforts to stand by the people of Kendrapara when there was drinking water crisis. She targeted the ruling BJD for failing to address the grievances of people and targeting Baijayant Panda instead of extending a helping hand at a time when he was working for the people of the region.
“I want to question the ruling BJD government why it did not fulfill the demands of people for a medical college in Kendrapara? In Amethi also such demand was hanging for 40 years. But it was set up in Amethi when there was double-engine government of BJP at the Centre and the state. Hence, the people of Odisha should also vote for the BJP to bring development here. Baijayant Panda has worked hard to provide drinking water facilities to the people of Kendrapara. Instead of extending a helping hand, the BJD government targeted Baijayant Panda. I want to ask CM Naveen Patnaik that the people voted for the BJD but still several areas of Kendrapara face problems during floods. What happens to remote-controlled government by Tamil Nadu babu and its contractors during such crisis situations? Baijayant Panda has also raised several issues of women's safety and security.”
According to Irani, PM Narendra Modi worked for the farmers and other sections of the society. The Centre extends benefits under various welfare schemes but the Tamil Nadu officer of the remote-controlled government here is hijacking them, depriving the poor of benefits. It is PM Modi Ji who is sending money for the construction of houses, but contracts are being awarded to those in Tamil Nadu by this remote-controlled government, alleged Irani.
Ratna Bhandar Missing Keys
The people of Odisha only want to know how the Ratna Bhandar key went missing and why it has been kept hidden by the Tamil Nadu-based contractor, questioned Smriti Irani.
“If people vote for BJP, the truth will come out on who insulted Lord Jagannath, who stole the Ratna Bhandar keys and suppressed the report,” said Irani.
While addressing the public meeting, BJP National Vice-President and party’s Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Panda said there is a huge mandate for Narendra Modi to assume office as the Prime Minister for the third time.
“The time has come for a change in Odisha as the people here are fed up with corruption, crime and atrocities against women and children under the BJD government here. During my term as MP, we worked hard and brought a railway line to Kendrapara,” said Panda.
Panda further alleged that the state government failed to bring industries for development. As a result, people from this region migrate outside the state and country.
“I used to get distress calls to help in the rescue of Odia youths facing problems or stranded in other countries,” said Panda.
According to Panda, the Dhamra-Paradip Industrial Corridor is among the several guarantees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Kendrapara is the centre point of Dhamra-Paradip industrial corridor and this will bring massive investments and industries will come up. This would ensure that the youths will not have to go to Dubai, Kerala, Mumbai or Surat as they will get jobs here, he added.
No comments obtained from BJD leaders.