After six months of apparent vacillation following the BJP-led NDA Government coming to power at the Centre, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday renewed his pet political slogan of the Centre’s “apathy” towards Odisha. The occasion of Patnaik’s Centre bashing was the celebration of the BJD’s 17th Foundation Day. “There should be no political consideration while allocating funds to the States under the Federal structure,” Patnaik said while addressing a gathering at the party office here.
Patnaik’s speech seemed to reflect his and his party’s concern over the ongoing CBI inquiry into the chit fund scam when he mentioned that there is “an attempt to lower the BJD’s image in the public”. Notably, the CBI probe has by now exposed several BJD leaders’ involvement in the mega scam. Patnaik said that since the BJD is committed to protect the State’s interests, it would continue its fight against the Central negligence. He claimed that the BJD has been able to win the trust of over 4 crore people of Odisha.
Alleging that attempts are being made by the two national parties, the Congress and the BJP, to defame the BJD through various means, he said they indulge in such activities after facing repeated defeats in elections. They would not succeed in their efforts, he stated. “Our success is a cause of concern for these national parties and that is why they have launched a vilification campaign against the BJD. These parties have never been with the people of the State and would never fight for the interest of the state,” he said.
Stating that Odisha’s plan size has increased manifold and the State’s growth rate in the last 17 years has remained above the national average, Patnaik said his Government adopted the BJD’s election manifesto at the first Cabinet meeting to fulfil the promises the party had made to the people.