Sundergarh: Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) star campaigner Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a public rally here as part of his election campaign.
Here are the excerpts of the address.
PM Modi began his address with an ode to Lord Jagannath and Maa Sureshwari Devi. Known for his trademark manner, he started his speech in Odia amidst loud cheers from supporters.
He began by saying, “This is the first time a prime minister has come to Sundergarh in Odisha. Today, a pradhan sewak of Odisha has come here.”
“You have to decide whether you want an honest government or a corrupt government in Odisha and at the Centre.”
Without taking any names, he said, “Other parties are built simply on basis of money. Whereas The BJP party exists due to our hardworking Karyakartas (workers), not because of any ‘Parivar’ (family) or ‘Paisa’ (money).”
Crediting the nation for trusting him he said, “You trusted in me and made me a Chowkidaar from a simple Chaiwala. It was only possible because of your love and blessings. I will continue to need it in future.”
Moving on to directly charge Congress party he said, “BJP flag is flying proudly in regions where it was unimaginable at one point of time. BJP is the biggest democratic organization in the world. We are now a strong option to Congress and other parties which were formed from within Congress”
PM Modi mentioned the VSS airport of Jharsuguda and the Bichhupali railway line. He added that five times the money is now given by the centre for the state’s development. PM asked how has the state government utilized that financial aid.
“The discrimination on the basis of territory that the BJD government of Odisha is doing, the same discrimination the Congress and its allies have done for decades with entire eastern India”, he says.
Continuing with his attack, “There is coal in Odisha, water, forests… then what is the reason that such a resourceful Odisha is backward? What is the reason that Odisha was left behind in the race to development? For the last 19-20 years, Congress or Naveen Patnaik’s BJD has been ruling the state.”
“Congress and Biju Janata Dal see politics in poverty.”
He ended with- “You have to decide whether you want an honest government or a corrupt government in Odisha and at the Centre.”
Odisha will go for elections in four phases with the first phase beginning from April 11.
Also Read: PM Modi to visit Odisha’s Sundergarh today
Kalinga AI