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Keonjhar: After completion of the first phase polls in Odisha, BJP President Amit Shah in his first poll address at Keonjhar in Odisha was more aggressive and gave a war cry to overthrow the 'nikkama' Naveen-led BJD government. Shah straightaway exhorted the huge gathering here to 'elect' Narendra Modi again and 'vote out' the Naveen government.
Firing the first salvo, BJP president again harped on Naveen's inability to communicate in Odia even after ruling the State for 19-years, and urged the people to elect a Chief Minister who can share your grievances in your own language. This assumes quite significant when only recently CM Naveen in an interview had recently claimed of having fluency in Odia.
Lambasting the ruling BJD, Shah linked the widespread poverty in the Odisha to the unbridled corruption in the State. "Odisha is endowed with huge natural resources but large-scale corruption in mines allocation failed the benefits. M B Shah Commission had found rampant corruption in granting mining leases during 2005 -14," thundered Shah and added that thousands of poor households were robed via ponzi scam but Naveen Patnaik didn't initiate any stringent action against the perpetrators.
Making a comparative analogy of achievements of Modi government and Naveen government, Shah fired a long range of questions on the BJD government. He asked, "How many households in Odisha are getting piped water supply in Odisha? Why schools are without teachers and why hospitals sans doctors here?"
Highlighting Modi government's achievements, Shah said Modi government has devolved Rs 1,600 crore under the DMF to Keonjhar and the upcoming medical college here is the fruit of DMF. Shah promised to build one more medical college and a new steel plant in Keonjhar. " The four-laning of NH 215, Daitari - Bansapani rail link, Rs 5,000 crore waterway in Mahnadi and Brahamani, ESIC hospital, IIM and putting the Paika revolution on Indian history map are the hallmarks of Modi government", claimed Shah.
The BJP president has also made a bouquet of promises for the State today. Shah promised that BJP government in State would ensure pucca houses to all before 2022. A new 112 ambulance service would be launched in State, if BJP comes to power, said Shah and assured that forest produces collected by tribal will be bought by the State government. Shah also promised to waive off GST on Kendu leaves if it comes to power in State, and distribute land rights (pattas) to all tribals under the Forest Right Act within 5-years.
Launching a full-scale attack on Rahul-led Congress, Shah charged the party of indulging in corruption and halting development in the country for the last 70-years. Reminding the crowd of Pulwama attack, Shah asked the crowd do you feel happy when IAF bombed terror hideouts in Balakot? When crowd gave a roaring yes, he lampooned Congress and said Rahul and Co were sad!
Responding to Shah's all out attack, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra termed Shah's charges as baseless. He said BJP government failed to build coastal highway and second bridge over Brahmani river. BJP president is nervous after first phase polls as BJD is going to make a clean sweep in the phase, claimed Patra.
On the other hand, CM Naveen Patnaik today toured his Hinjli Assembly constituency extensively. The constituency is going to vote on April 18. Highlighting his government's achievements, Naveen appealed people to vote for BJD.
