Modi slams Odisha govt over BJP worker’s murder

Bhubaneswar:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Odisha government over the alleged murder of BJP worker Manguli Jena in Khurda town. He accused the BJD government for rise in “goonda raj” in the State.

“Our party worker Manguli Jena was murdered by BJD goons a couple of days back. There is no need to fear the goons. We are committed to eliminating goondaraj from Odisha,” Modi said while addressing a public meeting at Baramunda Ground here this evening.

I assure the family of Jena and the BJP workers that culprits will be punished after the party comes to power in the state. Modi always stands with the people of Odisha, the PM said.

He also said that the BJD government is being run by a coterie and the PC (percentage commission) culture is rampant in the State. “The BJD government is being run by a coterie and the State’s development has been stalled by the BJD govt for PC (percentage commission),” he alleged.

Modi said he is getting a feel that the people of Odisha want a change and will vote BJP to power this time for sure. “After witnessing the enthusiasm among the people of Odisha, I can understand that they have made up their mind for a BJP government and a double engine of growth,” Modi said.

“Bhubaneswar maguchi double engine, Jatani Maguchi double engine, Khurda Begunia maguchi double engine, sampoorna Odisha maguchi…”.

“You placed faith in one person for 20 years. What did you get? The government has failed to develop the state,” said Modi.

Accusing the state government of moving at a slow pace, Modi urged the people to give five years to BJP to accelerate the pace of development.

“Allow BJP once to govern the state for five years, I will show what is development,” he added.

Rejecting the State government’s Central neglect allegation, Modi said his government at the Centre is very concerned about Odisha and allocated more funds in the last five years. “The Centre has never neglected Odisha; it has provided Rs 3 lakh crore in the last 5 years which is five times compared to the earlier,” the PM claimed.

The PM also took a dig at the state government for not coming onboard the Ayushman Bharat scheme thereby allegedly depriving patients of financial assistance. “We will implement this scheme in the state if BJP comes to power.”

After arriving here from Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister began his roadshow from near the Biju Patnaik International Airport to the Baramunda Ground, covering Ganganagar and OUAT Square in Bhubaneswar.

Earlier in the day, Modi held a public meeting at Sambalpur where he attacked the Odisha government over a host of issues.