Odisha remained backward due to ‘unholy’ alliance between BJD & BJP, says Congress

Bhubaneswar: In a stinging attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the twin polls in Odisha, Congress on Saturday alleged that the state failed to grow due to ‘unholy’ nexus between these two political parties.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Congress spokesperson Jagadananda Pradhan lashed out at both the ruling BJD in Odisha and BJP-led government at the Centre accusing them of having neglected the state for years.

The people of Odisha were deprived of basic facilities for the last over a decade because of the ‘unholy’ alliance between leaders of BJD and BJP, he alleged, adding that no development work could be completed in time in the state.

Coming down heavily on the BJP government at the Centre, the Congress leader the work for National Highway No. 55 which passes through the home district of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been moving at a snail’s pace. It clearly shows the apathetic attitude of the Centre towards Odisha, he said.

Describing the Cuttack-Sambalpur highway as the main link between east and west Odisha, he said though the work commences way back in 2018, it is yet to be completed. As a result, many commuters are losing their lives in road accidents on this highway which is in a precarious condition, Pradhan said, holding both BJD and BJP responsible for this.

Accusing BJD and BJP of only making false claims about development, the Congress leader claimed that the people displaced by Hirakud and Rengali projects are yet to get justice though many years have elapsed.

Accusing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of cheating the people displaced due to Rengali dam project, he said though Naveen had promised enhanced compensation to the displaced family way back in 2011, the affected people are yet get any financial assistance.

Similarly, Dharmendra failed to set up a skill development centre in his home district, the Congress leader claimed.

Neither BJP nor BJD gave due attention to the needs of Angul district which contributes Rs 8000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore revenue annually to the Centre and state government, he claimed.