Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar said here on Friday the BJP’s increased vote share in Odisha in the last general elections is a warning to the ruling BJD as people have “accepted’ the saffron party.
“Though we have got 10 MlAs and one MP this time in Odisha, the vote tally has increased two-fold in the 2014 elections. We have got 46 lakh votes and it would be 75 lakh in the next general elections, leaving behind the BJD,” Javadekar told reporters.
The BJP leader said the BJP workers would work hard in the coming days to grab power in the 2019 elections in the State.
Answering questions, Javadekar said his Ministry is reviewing issues like the Shah Commission’s recommendations and findings on the mining scam in Odisha which would be completed by July-end. After that, his Ministry would prepare an action plan for the State, he added.
The Minister revealed that Odisha, unlike other States, has not come to his Ministry with proposals to resolve the issues that include environment clearance. He also alleged that the Odisha Government is not utilising funds fully sanctioned by the Centre under various programmes and schemes.
“Some States spend more than allocated funds while some others spend a meagre 25 per cent of the total allocated Central funds which is a hindrance in completing developmental projects,” said Javadekar.
The BJP had lost the elections in the state but is optimistic about making a comeback in the next elections.