BJD never neglected western Odisha: CM Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Responding to BJP national president Amit Shah's statement that Odisha government has neglected western Odisha, ruling-BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the government has always worked for the all-round development of the region.

"The State government has never neglected western Odisha as you can see we have always worked for the all-round development of the area," the CM said.

Besides, Patnaik labelled Shah's estimation of BJP winning 120-plus Assembly seats in 2019 general election as 'very very exaggerated' and said that the saffron party chief's 'Mission 120+' has no base.

Shah outlined 'Mission 120+' during his visit to Odisha in September last year. He had set the target following BJP's impressive performance in the panchayat elections.

However, after a miserable defeat in the Bijepur bypoll, the BJP is reportedly recalibrating its targets.