BJP meets Odisha Governor with 1 crore signatures to implement Ayushman Bharat

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday met Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal with about one crore signatures collected from different districts across the State demanding implementation of Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the State.

Speaking to media after submitting the signatures to the Governor, Odisha BJP's general secretary, Bhrugu Baxipatra said that the governor has assured to look into the demands as the ruling-BJD is not implementing the Central government’s programme in the State for mere political reasons.

"After collecting one crore signatures, we submitted it to the governor today and requested him to direct the State government to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha," said Baxipatra.

Odisha needs a yojana like Ayushman Bharat and it must be implemented in the very interest of the people of the State, he added.

However, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra slammed the BJP questioning the authenticity of one crore signatures.

"Nine lakh families would have been left out under the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme, but with the help of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, additional 50 lakh people have been covered," said Patra.

He further said that the BJP should clarify whether the signatures are real or they have put it themselves.