Bhubaneswar: Accusing BJP of having gained power in Odisha by making false promises, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said price rise was the biggest gift from the Mohan Majhi government to the people in the last six months.
Addressing party workers and leaders on the occasion of BJD’s 28th foundation day in Bhubaneswar, the former Chief Minister said the regional party will continue to serve the people of Odisha for the next 100 years.
Asserting that BJD has given the identity of an empowered state to Odisha, Naveen said, “As a strong regional party, BJD will continue to work to safeguard the interests of Odisha and its people, and fight injustice by the Centre.”
On BJD’s defeat in the last elections, Naveen said many people have questions that how did BJD lose in the last elections. “I will answer them today. In my view we did not lose. We did not lose the trust of the people either,” he said.
Coming down heavily on BJP, he claimed that the saffron party came to power by telling lies, making false promises, and misleading the people. Even after telling so many lies, BJP has got less votes than BJD, he said.
“Our mistake was that we could not counter their lies properly. We could not counter their negative campaign and false narratives on social media properly,” the BJD supremo said.
He further stated that the people of Odisha have come to know that the BJP has came to power by telling lies, and advised party workers to be active on social media and give a befitting reply to the BJP’s false narrative.
Naveen, who participated in the state-level programme held at Sankha Bhawan, highlighted the people’s love for the party and the success of the BJD government, while expressing his firm belief that BJD will continue to serve the people of Odisha for the next 100 years.
Recalling the golden moment of the party’s founding, the BJD chief said, “On this day, December 26, 1997, Biju Janata Dal was born. Taking Biju Babu’s ideals and inspiration together, Biju lovers came together and formed BJD. At that time, many people said that this party would not survive. Some people said that this party would not be able to grow further, he said.
“However, because of your hard work and the blessings of the people of Odisha, BJD has won five elections and got the opportunity to provide services to the people of Odisha. I have also got the opportunity to serve you personally,” said Naveen.
On the performance of the BJD government in the last 24 years, the former CM said the BJD government has introduced Odisha to the world as a strong and prosperous state. Odisha, which depended on other states for food grains from other states, is now sending food to foreign states. The number of poor people in Odisha has decreased. Per capita income has increased. It has become a model state in disaster management.
Odisha is a leading state in the field of women empowerment and financial discipline. Odisha is known as Sports Capital all over the world, Naveen said.
Hitting out at the BJP government, Naveen said the biggest gift of the BJP government to the people of Odisha is the increase in prices. Starting from pulses and rice, oil, vegetables, prices of all commodities have skyrocketed, he said.
Claiming that people belonging to all sections are now suffering, the former CM said farmers are suffering due to the paddy harvesting process, while Mission Shakti women are in distress.