Amit Shah Rips Into BJD, Urges Voters to Elect BJP to Accelerate Odisha’s Comprehensive Development

Balangir: Union Home Minister Amit Shah kicked off the campaign trail today in Odisha for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Addressing a public gathering at Rameswaram Stadium in Sonepur under the Balangir Lok Sabha constituency, Shah rallied support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and emphasized the significance of electing Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

Invoking Lord Jagannath at the outset, Shah urged voters to choose BJP candidates, aiming for at least 20 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Odisha.

He slammed the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government led by Naveen Patnaik, alleging a lack of development despite the state’s abundant mineral and natural resources.

Shah accused the BJD administration of diverting attention from significant events, such as the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, and politicizing central government schemes for political gains. He highlighted the BJD’s reluctance to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme, attributing it to fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity.

Promising economic opportunities, Shah pledged the establishment of a cotton mill and agro-based industries in the Balangir Lok Sabha constituency to address unemployment.

He criticized the BJD’s 25-year rule for failing to deliver substantial progress and urged voters to elect a BJP government for transformative change.

Accompanying Shah were Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal, Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Jay Narayan Mishra, Balangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, and former minister KV Singh Deo.

The Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha are scheduled to be held in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, with vote counting on June 4.