Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Predicts BJD’s Sixth Consecutive Win, Dismisses BJP’s Claims

Bhubaneswar, May 12, 2024 - Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a bold assertion on Saturday, claimed that his party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), would return to power for the sixth consecutive time after the assembly elections, dismissing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) chances of winning in Odisha in the next 10 years.

Patnaik’s statement came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim at an election rally earlier in the day that the swearing-in ceremony of a “BJP chief minister” would be held in Bhubaneswar on June 10. “Nothing will happen on June 10. BJP will not be able to win the hearts of the people in the next 10 years, forget about June 10,” the chief minister retorted.

The Chief Minister also questioned why Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha and his father, was not being considered for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. “There are so many brave sons of Odisha, a few of whom you spoke about today. Don’t any of them, including Biju Patnaik, deserve the Bharat Ratna?” Patnaik asked.

Patnaik reminded the people of Odisha of the promises made by Modi and the BJP in 2014 and 2019, including controlling prices of essential commodities, creating 2 crore jobs, reducing prices of LPG, petrol and diesel, and providing mobile connectivity in remote areas. He criticized the central government for remembering Odisha only during the elections.

He also expressed disappointment over the Centre’s allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for promoting Sanskrit, while no funds were allocated for Odia, despite it being a classical language. “I had sent proposals for recognition to classical Odissi music and you have rejected them twice,” he said.

Patnaik accused the Prime Minister of forgetting the farmers of the state and his promise of doubling the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He also criticized the central government for neglecting to revise the royalty on coal, which he described as Odisha’s natural wealth, for 10 years.

In an indirect reference to BJD leader VK Pandian’s assertion that he is the natural successor to all great values of Patnaik, Modi said, “I am here to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP chief minister in Bhubaneswar on June 10. A son or daughter of the soil who understands the state’s culture, language and tradition will be made the CM.”

Odisha will vote for its 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147-member assembly, simultaneously, in four phases, starting on May 13.