**Bhubaneswar: ** As this year has ahead the numero uno challenge of general elections and also 2018 has been bidden farewell while 2019 is being welcomed, expectations as well as challenges are obviously part and parcel of politics.
Thus, the mood was gauged and the pulse was felt of the major political parties and their leaders.
In his media reactions, senior BJD leader and minister Pratap Jena said, “Our plans are never chalked out specifically for 2019 or 2018 or 2017. Our efforts are always going on how to deliver goods to the people of Odisha every year, every month and every day.”
“Accordingly, we have also tried out in 2018 and it has passed off very successfully. Similarly, 2019 will also be a prosperous year for us by the blessings of Lord Jagannath,” he wished.
He assured, “We’ll try our level best to provide more and more benefits to the people of Odisha.”
On the contrary, senior BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan said, “If we look at the state of affairs in Odisha, development has got devastated here. Development has been hindered. Hence, the people of Odisha have mentally prepared for a change of guard.”
“This year there will be general election. The people who speak less and are active mentally will effect a political change in Odisha and BJP will obviously emerge as an apt substitute,” he exuded confidence.
He also averred, “The next government at the Centre will be of BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Odisha also, the next government by BJP will be at par with the country. This is our aim and objective. Certainly, there will be change of guard and BJP will form government.”
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik said, “During the last 18 years here in Odisha and in the last 4 and half years at the Centre, Odisha has been neglected and made more poor. Damage has been caused to Odisha in the name of development. Its economy has gone haywire. Same is the case with India.”
“Congress party has resolved to free this country as well as this State from such an impasse. Thus, Congress party has been holding meetings and programmes at the grassroots level. Even at every district. We have also resolved for this year to create mass awareness,” he stated.
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