Bhubaneswar: The BJD today kicked off its 'Jan Sampark Padayatra' from Mahisakhala slum here to reach the masses. However, launching a scathing attack on the ruling party, the BJP has dubbed the move as a cover up for the government's failure on all fronts.
"It's not a journey of achievements, but a 'Ghanta Ghoda' yatra (a move to suppress inefficiency). Every year they do such padayatra with a particular agenda. The foot march is undertaken with a handful of party leaders with no participation from general public. They propagate two things - some baseless allegations against Centre and beat their own drum," BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said at a press meet.
BJP leaders blamed the State government for poor health services, vacant teacher posts and frequent collapse of bridges alleging that BJD ministers have nexus with contractors.
On the other hand, BJD said the objective of the padayatra is to create awareness among the people and inform them about the injustice being meted out to Odisha by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
"Our aim is to make Odisha the No 1 State. We are working for the Maa, Mati, Manisha (Mother, soil and people) and will continue to do that. We will reach out to people to make them aware about our various developmental activities and central apathy," said BJD president and CM Naveen Patnaik soon after flagging off the foot march campaign in the State capital.
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