Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday argued for a “stable and secular” Government at the Centre terming the Congress as corrupt and the BJP communal.
He was addressing a large gathering here at a party workers’ meeting where industrialist and social activist Rabindra Kumar Jena joined the ruling BJD with hundreds of his supporters. Patnaik, who is now under criticism for his alleged apathy towards farmers, blamed the Centre for “not bothering” for farmers of the State. The State Government from its own fund has extended bonus of `100 per quintal of paddy to farmers,” he said.
He recollected the glorious past of the undivided Baleswar district. The movement for saving the Odia language began from this region under the leadership of Fakir Mohan Senapati. The undivided district has given two Chief Ministers, he said, adding that the people of the district are politically conscious.
Rabindra Jena said he joined the party “to join in the development process being carried out under the leadership of Mr Naveen Patnaik”. The Chief Minister also attended several other functions in the district.