Berhampur: Amidst talk of his taking a key role in government formation at the Centre after the general elections, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday made it clear that he would like to stay in the state instead of assuming any office.
"I have decided to serve the people of the state till my last," Patnaik told a gathering at Patapur under Sanakhemundi assembly segment in Ganjam district.
Seeking blessings of the people, Patnaik played the development card of his government to woo voters ahead of the general elections.
"The poverty of the state has been reduced, while the size of the state's plan increased. The economic growth in the state has also increased during the last 14 years," the chief minister said.
He has also addressed the gatherings at Bhismagiri, near Digapahandi and Khallikote after laying foundation stones for several projects in the area.
Listing out the state-sponsored schemes undertaken by his government in the last three terms from 2000 to 2014, the chief minister said these could be possible only due to the faith of the people of the state in him and his regional party.
In his whirlwind tour to Ganjam, his home district, for the fourth time in last 22 days, Patnaik laid foundation stones of nine projects.
The projects included 33/11 kv sub-station and additional class rooms for the girls' high school at Bhismagiri, fire station building at Khandadeuli and pipe water supply scheme for Sanakhemundi block.
He also laid foundation stone for bridge over Sulia Nala near Patapaur and Kharakhari Nala near Khallikote under Biju Setu Yojana (BSY) and improvement of Hirana-Podamari road and Bramhanipada-Bilaspur state highway 17 roads. He addressed the golden jubilee function in RCM Science College, Khallikote.
Patnaik had visited Chhatrapur on December 30 and laid foundation stones for several projects for the district headquarters town, he had toured Hinjili and Sheragada block in his home turf and Aska assembly constituency on January 10, while Sorada, Gopalpur and Khallikote on January 15.