Odisha will see Naveen Patnaik as the sixth CM on June 9: VK Pandian

Bhubaneswar: Even as the State unit of the BJP released its visionary manifesto and launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJD, 5T chairman VK Pandian said party supremo Naveen Patnaik shall take oath as the Chief Minister for the sixth time on June 9.

The riposte comes close on the heels of Prime Minister’s first public meeting in Odisha ahead of the twin polls in the state where he stressed that a BJP-led government is crucial for the State’s development.

In a tirade against the BJD, the PM had claimed that June 4, which is the date for counting of votes, shall mark the expiry date of the ruling party. “On June 6, the BJP will finalize its CM for Odisha while on June 10, the BJP leader will take oath as the CM of the state,” he said, while claiming that the BJP is the only hope for Odisha as previous governments have continuously faltered on their promises. The BJP always keeps its promises, said Modi while addressing the public meeting in Berhampur.

PM Modi had also accused the BJD government of hijacking schemes from the Central government and said the party always portrays the BJP’s initiatives as the State’s . “The Congress ruled Odisha for around 50 years while the BJD for 25 years. The state has enough water resources, fertile land, minerals, and coastline. However, the state hasn’t developed. Odisha is rich but its people are poor. The leaders of the Congress and the BJD looted the state,” he had said in his speech.

Responding to the attack, Pandian said the public has always voted Naveen Patnaik to power because the BJD has had a reputation of walking the talk. “The BJD will not be impacted by the crocodile tears of the Opposition. The BJP’s slogan of a “double-engine sarkar” has run out of fuel now. On June 9, the State shall see Naveen Patnaik taking oath as the Chief Minister for the sixth time between 11.30 am -1.30 pm and no amount of sloganeering by the BJP can change the poll outcome. The public has time and gain reposed its faith in the BJD because the party has never failed its people and never will. This is the Naveen engine guarantee,” the BJD leader said.