BJD-led Odisha government showering schemes before general elections

Bhubaneswar: The BJD-led Odisha government is leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters by launching multiple schemes ahead of the general elections this year.

In the last few months, more than a dozen schemes have been launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the State. For farmers, schemes like KALIA and Ama Gaon Ama Vikas have been rolled out while for the youths - Biju Yuva Vahini programme has been launched. Health coverage under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, mobile phones for farmers and self help groups, sops for construction workers, food security, Ama Ghara LED, and Gopabandhu Sikhsya Sahayata schemes have been launched.

Moreover, experts believe that events like Hockey World Cup and Make in Odisha Conclave have been organised to reinforce brand Naveen.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties have raised questions alleging the ruling party of bribing voters ahead of the general elections.

"The BJD government is bribing the voters in one way or the other just before the elections. This should be brought to the notice of the Election Commission," senior Congress leader, Ram Chandra Khuntia said.
Odisha BJP president Basant Panda said "It seems that the government is launching so many schemes to distract people's attention from other issues."

However, BJD has refuted all the allegations and said that everything is being done for the welfare of the people.

"The schemes are being launched for the welfare of the people. Odisha government is not the only one to be launching such schemes, several governments are doing the same," said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb.