Bhubaneswar: Politics over Rourkela youth Muktikanta Biswal's walk up to Delhi to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his promises on super specialty hospital and second bridge over Brahmani river made in 2014 has gained momentum after news of his sickness spread.
While Congress President Rahul Gandhi in a tweet targeted the Prime Minister over death of people due to lack of super specialty hospital in Rourkela, PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik lambasted the Centre over delay in execution of the two projects.
“The PM promised Rourkela a multi speciality hospital three years ago. Now, Muktikant Biswal has walked 1,300 Km to Delhi because the PM hasn’t kept his promise & people are dying. I assure Mr Biswal: the people of India & the Congress party will keep the PM’s promise for him,” Gandhi tweeted.
Coming down heavily on the Centre, the PCC chief tweeted, “18 yrs of BJD misrule has put the healthcare of our state in ICU. 4 yrs of BJP misrule at Center has made matters worse. Promises made by BJP & BJD have never been fulfilled. I assure people of Odisha, when we come to power, we will provide quality & affordable healthcare for all.”
While crossing Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Biswal, who was an idol maker by profession, fell ill and was admitted to a local hospital. Biswal had started his walk from the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) campus on April 16 to remind the PM about the demands.
“The IGH is in poor condition and everyday people are dying. Three years have passed, but nothing has happened. That’s why I am going to meet him (the PM). I have crossed 1,350 km and 200 km are remaining,” Biswal stated.
Srikant Biswal, brother of Muktikanata said, “Demands of my brother must be fulfilled.” Declining the charges Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Due to delay in forest clearance by the State government, the Brahmani bridge work got delayed. Currently, bridge construction work and upgradation of the IGH are in full swing.”
Taking jibe at the Congress President, Pradhan further stated, “Rahul Gandhi says different things on several occasions, but he does not know what he is saying.” Last week Union Minister Birender Singh laid the foundation for the Super Specialty hospital, hence there is no point for an agitation, he added.