Cong govt set up many mega projects in Odisha. How many has Modi govt done? asks Kharge

Bhubaneswar: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today addressed a public meeting in Kandhamal district to canvass for the party for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha.

Kharge claimed that the successive Congress governments at the Centre have set up several big projects in Odisha, including the Hirakud dam and Paradeep port. But, Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has not constructed any big project in the state.

“The Congress party has given Hirakud dam, Pradeep port, Rourkela steel plant, HAL unit at Sunabeda, NALCO and many other projects to Odisha. Has Prime Minister Narendra Modi given anything to Odisha?” said Kharge at the meeting.

The AICC president alleged that the BJP has been trying to destroy the communal harmony in the country for political gains.

He targeted the BJP government at the Centre for poor rail connectivity in Kandhamal district. “The Railway Minister has been elected to Rajya Sabha from Odisha. The BJD has given support to him during his election. He should at least develop rail network in Kandhamal and other backward areas in the state,” Kharge added.

The veteran politician claimed that the BJP government will destroy the Constitution of India if it gets people’s mandate for the third consecutive term.

“The people of Kandhamal as well as Odisha should vote for the Congress party in this election to save the Constitution. Some vested interest groups are making all efforts to finish the Fundamental Rights, including the Right to Freedom and Expression, mentioned in the Indian Constitution. You should make all efforts to protect the Constitution,” said the AICC president.

Kharge claimed that at least 30 lakh government posts are lying vacant in the country. But, the Central government did not take any step to fill those vacant posts, he added.