Amit Shah targets Congress, spares Naveen Patnaik

BJP President Amit Shah, who arrived on a two-day visit to Odisha today, addressed a massive gathering of Mahasangram Rally at the UNIT 6 Playground in Bhubaneswar and came down heavily on the Congress, but spared Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the ruling government. He, however, expressed confidence that BJP will form the next government in Odisha.

He paid tribute to Lord Jagannath before beginning his speech. “It was Lord Jagannath, who saved the people of Gujarat from the epidemics of Plague. People of Gujarat are indebted to him and always worship him as the saviour. Lord Jagannath is the real and strong link between Odisha and Gujarat. I have come here to seek his blessings,” said Amit Shah.

Amit Shah targeted the Congress-led UPA and Rahul Gandhi, saying they were responsible for the rising poverty, unemployment and price rise in the country. “We are now trying to amend all the mistakes they have done in the last 60 years. Still, they seek a report card from us in just six months,” he said. Amit Shah also listed the BJP Government’s achievements. He hailed the PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana, Make In India program etc.

Amit Shah slams Congress for raising questions on the security issues such as Pakistani Vessel and LoC firing, saying they are playing politics of low level and strengthening the cause of Pakistan. “Is Congress Party going to contest the polls in Pakistan?” asked Amit Shah. “Don’t play such politics over the sacrifice and martyrdom of Indian forces. You will be destroyed by the people,” he warned the Congress. He hailed the Coast Guard for preventing the terror attack off the Gujarat Coast.

“The decision to allow public auction of all mineral products, was taken by the Modi Government, which would give maximum benefits to Jharkhand and Odisha. People should not be misled that BJD government did it. They just followed the central government’s directive,” said Amit Shah.

“People of Odisha are living in deep poverty. 86% people are without clean drinking water. 46% people are living below poverty line. I urge CM Naveen Patnaik to rise to the occasion and work in tandem with the centre to build a new Odisha. He still has enough time to reform himself. BJP will end the corruption in Odisha when it comes to power. We will remove the darkness from the state, he added.  He called upon the BJP workers and leaders to spread the message about Modi Government’s achievements and strengthen the party at the grass root level.

Senior BJP leaders Bijoy Mohapatra, BB Harichandan, Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram and KV Singhdeo addressed the gathering and slammed Naveen Patnaik and his government. They raised issues such as illegal mining, chit fund, land scam, farmers’ suicide, poverty, unemployment and dismal health care system in Odisha.

“The Chief Minister has lost his image following the involvement of his leaders in chit fund scam and land scam. He has failed to live up to the expectations of the common people,” alleged Bijoy Mohapatra. He called upon the people to wake up and see the real face of the BJD and its leader.

“We will continue our ‘Mahasangram’ or ‘Grand Battle’ against the BJD till we form the government on our own in Odisha,” declares Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram. He also took a dig at CM’s lack of Odia knowledge despite ruling the state for over 14 years.

Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan warned the state government against hijacking the central government’s schemes. “It was the Modi Government, which decided to allow the states to go for public auction of mineral resources except coal through an ordinance. The Odisha Government was quick to accept it and ow trying to show as if it was their own decision. It won’t be tolerated. You can survive only when you coordinate with the centre. Don’t try to exceed your power and limit,” he said. “Why Naveen was silent over mining issue for the last 15 years,” he asked.

BJP’s Odisha Unit President KV Singhdeo alleged phone tapping of BJP leaders in Odisha ahead of Amit Shah’s rally. “The government is panicking. Naveen Patnaik is showing desperation. He and his leaders are knee-deep in corruption. They are worried about BJP’s rise as well as the central crackdown on illegal activities, be it chit fund or mining,” he said.