Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the 2019 elections, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik sounded confident of coming to power once again in the State. Responding to editorial director of the New Indian Express, Prabhu Chawla's question during the book launch of "Juggernaut: Odisha on the move", Patnaik yesterday said that, “The government’s work will prove to be enough for us to win the elections.”
Patnaik further stated that before his government came to power 20 years ago, Odisha was known for its dire poverty. The State government has lifted 80 lakh people above the poverty line, which is highest average in the country.
“From a food deficit State, we are now the biggest exporter of rice and third biggest contributor to the public distribution system in the country. Our farmers’ income has doubled in the last 10 years,” said Patnaik.
“Odisha government’s disaster management preparedness, ensuring zero loss of life during cyclones has been appreciated by the United Nations,” Patnaik also said. On being asked if it’s time for him to relax and read books,, the CM said a blunt “no, not yet”.