Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today claimed that the self-identity of Odisha is in danger.

The Prime Minister made this statement during an interview to a news channel today.

“Odisha’s self-identity is in danger and Odia language is under threat. I do not think that the people of Odisha will tolerate this for long,” said the Prime Minister while replying to a query on Odisha and its ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The Prime Minister further claimed that Odisha has plenty of natural resources and it could have become the richest state in the country.

“The common people of Odisha have aspirations. I think we (BJP) should get a chance to serve the people of the state. We will take Odisha to great heights,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has maintained its separate identity in Odisha and the BJD has given issue-based support to the NDA government at the Centre.

“Many other parties have also given us issue-based support. The BJP has been operating separately in Odisha,” he added.