'Naveen's women empowerment talk reeks of duplicity'

Bhubaneswar: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan today termed BJD president and Chief minister Naveen Patnaik's assertion on women empowerment as mere double talk, especially when BJD chief had allotted ticket to a person who shielded an accused involved in Pipili minor girl rape incident.

“Hearing you sermonizing on women empowerment reeks of duplicity. The memory of the gory Kunduli incident and Pipili minor rape case is still fresh. Only a couple of days ago, one woman had attempted self-immolation opposing party ticket to an alleged sexual tormentor in front of the CM’s house. What women empowerment BJD talks about, when it allotted ticket from Bhubaneswar North to a top BJD leader who put the state to shame,” Pradhan retorted.
Campaigning in Kalahandi district, Pradhan slammed the State government and accused that kin of ministers and leaders have availed undue benefits in the current dispensation.

“Odias did not benefit from Aayush Bharat Yojana or PM-KISAN scheme. There is no development in the State,” he charged.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister had said the double engine in the country is empowerment of women.
“By empowering women the double-engine growth of the country is possible. Both national parties repeatedly speak about women empowerment but there nothing tangible on ground,” Patnaik said.

Meanwhile, Naveen has today launched BJD's campaign in Koraput and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituencies, which are going to vote on April 11. He again targeted the Opposition alleging that their leaders tour the State during election time, not during natural calamities.