Bhubaneswar: With Phase IV of the twin elections in Odisha drawing closer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched an all-out attack on the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. At the same time, PM Modi appears to be confident that the BJP will secure a majority in the Odisha Assembly and form the next government in the state.
In an interview with ANI on Tuesday, PM Modi said that he is willing to sacrifice his relationship with Naveen Patnaik for the people of Odisha. In response to a question, Modi said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the BJD have been supporting the BJP and the Union government over different issues and he shares good relations with the BJD leaders. “Now, the question is whether I should maintain my relations or worry about the fate of Odisha. I have decided to devote myself to the brighter future of Odisha… if I have to sacrifice my relations with Naveen Patnaik for that, I am willing to sacrifice them… after the elections, I will convince everyone that I have no enmity with anyone…”
In the same breath, the Prime Minister alleged that a group has taken over the entire system in Odisha and it is holding the Chief Minister hostage. “I believe that Odisha will prosper once the state is freed from this bondage.”
PM Modi further said that it is unfortunate that the people of Odisha are poor despite the state’s rich natural resources. In fact, Odisha is among the most endowed states in India… it has so much natural wealth but has a very high number of poor people. “The BJD government in the state is responsible for this. And if the people of Odisha want to get their rights back they should overthrow the incumbent government, he added.
The Prime Minister exuded confidence that things are changing in Odisha and people are voting for the BJP to lead this change. “The expiry date of the current Odisha government is June 4 and on June 10, a BJP CM will take oath,” he said.
