Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradan severely criticised the Naveen Patnaik Government for ‘failing’ to meet basic needs to people of Ganjam, the home turf of Patnaik, in its 17 years of rule during his one-day visit to the district on Saturday.
The CPI’s Chhatrapur MlA candidate Krushna Chandra Nayak, the Congress’ Bhanjanagar MlA candidate Binayak Tripathy and BJD leader and Ganjam block’s former Chairperson Geetanjali Bebarta along with their supporters joined the BJP at different meetings attended by Pradhan on the day.
“Joining of the two popular leaders has proved the trend of increasing popularity of the BJP in Ganjam district and the State,” said Pradhan.
Pradhan lamented saying that drinking water problem remains acute in Gannja district despite Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik received blessings of Ganjam people to continue as CM for four terms. He too alleged that agriculture, education and health sectors have remained neglected.
“The people of the State have given an indication of a change in governance during the rural polls,’ he said. He said had the Chief Minister succeeded in bringing Mahanadi water during rainy days to the river Rushikulya, the problems of drinking water and irrigation would have been resolved.
Stating that he has received appeals from concerned family members, the Minister said he would talk to External Affairs Minister Susma Swaraj and bring back all youths working in Saudi Arabia under hostile conditions.
Party State president Basanta Panda, secretary Bibhuti Jena, Dharanidhar Behera, Sisir Padhi, Golok Mohapatra, district president Kanhu Charan Pati, Mahila Morcha district president Jayanti Padhiari were present at the meeting held at Chhatrapur.