BJP will make Odisha India’s No 1 State: Amit Shah in Odisha

Jajpur: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah today slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government for poverty and backwardness of the state and vowed to make Odisha India’s number one State in terms of development if voted to power in 2019 elections.

Addressing a mass gathering at Panikoili in Jajpur district, on the second day of his three day campaign in Odisha to strengthen the party at the grassroots level, Shah said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has failed to develop the State in 17 years of his rule.

“Development is at peak in the BJP-ruled States. BJP will change the fate of Odisha in five years if comes to power. There is no dearth of water and minerals in the State. It is also one of the States with largest-growing youth population but the State is still ‘far behind’ in terms of development,” said the BJP president.

Shah also exhorted the party workers and said work towards winning 120 seats has begun and the party will oust the Naveen government in 2019 polls.

Shah exhorted the party workers and said work towards winning 120 seats has begun and the party will oust the Naveen government in 2019 polls.

Hitting out at the BJD government, the BJP stalwart briefed the funds the Centre has so far given to the State under various heads like Rs 14000 crore for Railways and Rs 2000 crore for waterways and said BJD has failed in utilising the funds.

Taking a jibe at CM Naveen, Shah said, “BJP's panchayat poll performance rattled Naveen and he is unable to sleep since then.”

Meanwhile, both BJD and Congress along with BJP opined on the claims of Shah:

[caption id="attachment_226051" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan[/caption]

Our party president has himself taken the initiative to strengthen the party at booth level. We are confident of strengthening our position at the 36000 booths across the State and winning 120 seats in 2019

- Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

[caption id="attachment_226052" align="aligncenter" width="462"] Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout[/caption]

BJP has no presence at village level. So, a programme like ‘Mo Booth Sabuthu Majboot’ carries no point in itself. The saffron party should first concentrate on grooming workers at the grassroots level then dream of forming government in Odisha

- Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout

[caption id="attachment_226053" align="aligncenter" width="458"] Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Prasad Harichandan[/caption]

Amit Shah is a ‘cunning businessman’ and he has come to Odisha as a ‘trader’. Shah should first accept the failure of BJP in giving good governance in its three years of rule

- OPCC President Prasad Harichandan

Earlier today, Shah visited Binjharpur and took darshan of Maa Binjhara. He also held talks with five villagers followed by lunch at a dalit family’s house.

[caption id="attachment_226054" align="aligncenter" width="477"] Shah in Maa Binjhara's Temple[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_226055" align="aligncenter" width="474"] BJP leaders at Kalindi Mallick's home[/caption]

Thereafter, he addressed a meeting at Areie which was attended by Union ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan.

Also Read: BJP will win 2019 polls with 2/3rd majority: Amit Shah in Odisha