BJD claims it will rule Orissa for two more decades
By Ratikant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 26: The Biju Janata Dal – which on Saturday celebrated its 13th foundation day – claimed it would rule Orissa for at least two more decades “as the state has no other potential political forces to check the party chariot.”
Addressing the workers at the party headquarters here in the city, Rajya Sabha member and the de facto leader of BJD Mr Pyarimohan Mohapatra said despite a “misinformation” campaign carried on by the opposition BJP and Congress, chief minister Naveen Patnaik registered a thumping victory in the last Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
“The opponents are trying to tarnish the image of the ruling BJD saying that it had allowed illegal mining in the state. But the truth is that it is the BJD which unearthed the mining scam by ordering a vigilance probe,” Mr Mohapatra said.
Depicting the Congress as the main enemy of Orissa, Mr Mohapatra said the party has always neglected to protect the interests of the state.
“Whether in power in the state or at the Centre, the Congress had never looked after Orissa’s interests. Its leaders – instead of servicing people – have cared for their own family members and relatives. Most of the people who have been found involved in mining scams belong to the Congress,” the Rajya Sabha member alleged.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik said his party would continue to serve as a “true” regional entity and “never tolerate” the discriminatory” treatment by the Centre.
“The BJD has been voted to power for three times as it has served the people in right earnest and spirit. Our protests against the Centre’s apathy and negligence would continue,” Mr Patnaik declared.
The chief minister underlined the infrastructural development works done by his government during the last 10 years and announced that in the coming five years at least ten thousand kilometers of concrete roads will be laid to connect rural areas with local markets.
BJD vice president and state finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei, revenue minister Suryanarayan Patra, planning and coordination minister A.U. Singhdeo, party general secretary Narendra Swain also addressed the gathering.