BJP national president J.P. Nadda called upon party MLAs and MPs in Odisha to focus on the all-round progress of the state where the party has formed a government for the first time.

Addressing the state BJP executive meeting at Puri on Friday, Nadda said the party has kept the promises made in the elections. The opening of the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century Puri Jagannath temple is an example. “I want you to work 24 hours for Odisha's development, which remains our leadership's top priority. Tribal development is particularly important as our tribal brothers and sisters voted for us wholeheartedly in the elections. The BJP will leave no stone unturned to serve the people of Odisha,” he said, adding that Odisha remains the top priority of the party.

The two-day meeting is being held in the backdrop of the opening of the Ratna Bhandar, an issue the party has sought to link with Odisha Asmita or Odia identity and pride with focus on the development of Odia language and culture.

Nadda was particularly thankful to the people of the state for giving the party 20 Lok Sabha seats apart from a majority in the state Assembly. “We had hoped to double our Lok Sabha seats but got 20 out of 21 sears at stake. The BJP today is a Pan-India party ruling in 18 states including 13 where it is in power on its own.”

Asserting that Odisha remains a priority state for his party government at the Centre, Nadda said that during the last 10 years, the state has received ₹3.4 lakh crore in tax devolution. “We did not discriminate with the state based on which party was ruling. For us, it did not matter whether it was the Naveen Patnaik government or some other government. We wanted to serve the people of Odisha. We have to take the state forward on the path of development. Lord Jagannath has given us this opportunity,” he said.

Referring to the efforts made by his party government for Odisha’s development he said that of the 80,000 km of the national highway built in India 4,300 km was in the state.

Nadda also launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for criticising the government at the Centre and projecting himself as the defender of the Constitution. “He says that he and his party are fighting to save the Constitution. The fact is that the Congress destroyed the Constitution. We are trying to save it," said Nadda.

The party will focus on coordination between the party, government and people. “We will chalk out a plan to ensure this,” said a senior leader.