'Powerful' Babus, 'Servant' Netas... Democracy Murdered in Odisha: Amit Shah

Bhubaneswar/Dhenkanal: BJP national president Amit Shah today trained his guns at the Odisha government alleging that the Babus are enjoying power in the State while elected leaders have been reduced to mere servants.

Addressing a public gathering at Mahishapat ground in Dhenkanal, Shah said that there is no more democracy in Odisha as officers have taken over the State's governance and corruption is rampant. "Odisha is rich in minerals but people here are poor due to illegal mining. Justice MB Shah commission, which probed illegal mining, has revealed that the Naveen-led government gave away mines on lease at throwaway prices," said Shah.

"... Still, 35 per cent people in Odisha don't have drinking water facility. Once BJP is voted to power, we will provide piped drinking water to every house in the State by 2022. Moreover, pucca houses and electricity connection to every poor household will be ensured by 2022," he said.

The BJP president lashed out at the Naveen government for allegedly shielding the chit fund scam accused and said that within 90 days of forming government in Odisha, BJP will put all the culprits, who duped innocent people of their hard earned money, behind bars.

Shah further announced a slew of sops for Self Help Groups (SHGs) and farmers. "We will waive off loans of SHGs, give interest-free loan to farmers, pension of Rs 3000 to farmers above 60 years... and within five years, we will make Odisha the No-1 State," he said.

Shah also warned ruling-BJD against playing with the life of the people for mere political gains. "Around 50 crore people are getting benefits under Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana, but people of Odisha are deprived of its benefits as Odisha government wants to protect its political interests," alleged Shah.