Union defence minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh has predicted Odisha will have a “double engine” government after the 2024 election results are announced.
The defence minister, who refrained from attacking the Odisha chief minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday said: “The state can progress only when there is a BJP government both at the state and the Centre.”
Singh addressed a series of meetings, including one at Ambapua Bibek Bihar in Berhampur in Ganjam district, the home district of Patnaik. “The picture of the entire country changed after Narendra Modi assumed power. To bring changes and ensure that there is fast development in Odisha, there should be a double-engine government, too,” Singh remarked.
Singh attacked the UPA government and how it had neglected the cause of Odisha, giving out details of how Odisha benefited during the Modi regime. “During the 10 years of UPA regime, Odisha had received Rs 3 lakh crore. But during the nine years of the Modi government, it has received more than Rs 18 lakh crore. It reflects Modi’s concern and love for Odisha.”
He also pointed out how during the Modi era 25 crore people have come above the poverty line and how 25 lakh people from Odisha were given pucca ghar in the state.
