BJD’s ‘development’ plank is only to hoodwink people, says BJP

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, Mar 29:

The BJP today described chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s tall claims on ‘development’ during his election speeches in western Odisha and described it as an attempt to  hoodwink people to get votes in the region.

“The claims of the chief minister are absolutely baseless. The maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate are still the highest in the region. If there is indeed any development,  why are the people in that region migrating to other states in search of jobs,” asked senior BJP leader Biswabhushan Harichandan.

He also attacked the BJD government for failing to expedite the Khurdha-Balangir railway project  and irrigation projects in the region, forcing people to leave their ancestral land to look for livelihood alteratives

Reacting to the ruling party’s call to voters to elect BJD candidates in all the 21 Lok Sabha seats, Harichandan said voting for the regional party will only create instability at Centre, which is not good for democracy.

“Since the party is yet to make its stand clear on its national perspective and role post polls, electing BJD candidates will only create instability at Centre,” the BJP leader said.