"First Congress, Then BJD Leaders Looted": PM Modi's Rare Attack On Naveen Patnaik's Government In Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (6 May) attacked the previous Congress and the current Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha while campaigning for the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.

Emphasising on abundant natural resources of Odisha, PM Modi said in Behrampur that despite Odisha being rich, people here are poor because of "first Congress' and then BJD leaders' loot."

"Even small BJD leaders are owners of big bungalows. Why do most labourers from the Chief Minister's region migrate? Why do most hospitals have vacant doctor positions?" Modi said attacking Naveen Patnaik.

"Note that 4 June is the expiry date of the BJD government... On 6 June, BJP's CM face will be announced. On 10 June, the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM will take place in Bhubaneswar," Modi added.

"In Odisha, two 'Yagya' are happening together. One is for making a strong government in India and the other is to form a strong state government in Odisha led by BJP," Modi said asserting a 'double-engine' government.

"Our focus is on the coastal economy of Odisha... We made the Ministry of Fisheries for the first time, we gave subsidies to make boats, we gave Kisan Credit cards to fishermen for low-interest loans," Modi added.