Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from attacking the ruling BJD or its leader, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, during his first public address in the state ahead of elections.
Rather than targeting the BJD, Modi, commencing his discourse before a packed audience at Chandikhol on Tuesday, paid homage to the late Biju Patnaik on his 108th birth anniversary. He directed his attention towards propelling India towards a developed status and scrutinising the Congress.
Before the rally, Modi inaugurated projects worth Rs 20,000 crore and praised Naveen as the “popular chief minister”.
Although Modi avoided criticising the BJD, he urged voters to help the BJP win over 400 Lok Sabha seats. He said: “Odisha’s determination is clear today. The 400-paar sanklap will make India the third-largest global economy.”
Modi highlighted Odisha’s role in India’s progress and criticised Congress for scandals like coal and urea.
He said: “After a ‘garib ka beta’ became PM, he became the ultimate guarantor for the poor.” Modi cited his government’s schemes such as free electricity.
Modi fiercely criticised the Congress and other Opposition parties. “How can those who plundered coal even contemplate providing sustenance to the impoverished?” he queried, accusing the Congress of involvement in the Urea scam.
He lambasted the Grand Old Party, alleging that post-Independence, it fostered a system that excluded the underprivileged. “Be it a bank or a job, everywhere they (Congress) demanded collateral,” Modi said.
Before the rally, Modi and Naveen shared the stage, where Modi inaugurated the projects. The Prime Minister conversed with Naveen before the event.
Paying tribute to Biju Patnaik, Modi mentioned ongoing projects and praised his government’s completion record.
Naveen welcomed Modi to Odisha, appreciating his efforts in making India an economic powerhouse. Naveen said: “I welcome Prime Ministerji to Odisha. He has set a new direction for India. He is taking India on an accelerated drive to make it an economic powerhouse. India is now the 5th largest economy marching forward to be the number three in a few years.”
