Bhawanipatna: Slamming the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government over lack of development in Odisha, BJP national president Amit Shah today said the State needs a ruler who can understand the Odia people and the saffron party will bring the change Odisha needs.
Addressing a gathering at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi, Shah said, "From the number of people gathered at the meeting, I can see that BJP will form the next government in Odisha. Naveen Patnaik-led government has failed to carry out developmental activities in the State. Naveen Patnaik has got tired of governing and a change is needed in the State.”
Though the Centre has provided Rs 45,000 crore to the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has failed to ensure development, he pointed out.
"Still 36% of the State’s households lack electricity supply. Around 50 lakh people in the State are living in kutcha houses. Besides, why drinking water has not been provided to every household yet?” Shah said.
"The Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre will ensure electricity supply to every household of the country before 2021. Pucca houses will be given to each poor family before 2022,” Shah claimed.
“Though the Centre sanctioned funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for 12,000 villages, they are still unutilised. Despite central assistance, 8 lakh 40 thousand children are still suffering from malnutrition in the state; the chief minister should give an answer,” Shah said.
Speaking about the condition of Higher Education in the State, Shah said not a single university in the State is in the ‘Top 10’ list.
He further said, “I am requesting the people of Odisha that they should contribute to the ‘Vijay Yatra’ of Narendra Modi. If BJP comes to power in the State, it would ensure 24-hr electricity supply and piped drinking water facility to every village,” Shah emphatically said.
On the recent Bharat Bandh, which was observed by Dalit orgamisations, Shah said, “When we announced that we'll file a review petition, then why did Congress and other opposition parties call for a Bandh? Opposition is responsible for 10 lives lost during the protests. BJP govt will neither remove reservation nor will let anyone end it.”
Reacting to Amit Shah’s comments, Odisha Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty stated, “He (Amit Shah) is making the same allegations time and again as he has nothing more to say.”
Asking BJP to introspect, BJD legislator Sanjay Dasburma said, “They should find out why the claims made about the Bijepur bypoll fell flat and how come people are reposing their faith on CM Naveen Patnaik always.”