"Remembering Odisha At Election Time...": Naveen Patnaik Rips Into PM Modi Over "Name Districts" Comment

Considered possible allies at one point of time during the run up to the elections, things are now going south for BJP and BJD in Odisha. The latest tipping point is the comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally in Odisha”s Kandhamal.

In a fiery exchange ahead of the impending elections in Odisha, PM Modi threw down the gauntlet to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, challenging him to name all the districts of Odisha and their respective capitals without resorting to any written aid.

Accusing the BJD leader of being out of touch with the grassroots issues, PM Modi remarked, “Ask “Naveen babu” to name the districts of Odisha and their respective capitals without seeing them on paper. If the CM cannot name the districts of the state, will he know your pain?”.

In response, Naveen Patnaik didn”t hold back, highlighting several areas where he claimed PM Modi had overlooked the interests of Odisha. Patnaik pointedly criticised the PM for neglecting Odia language and culture, citing the lack of funds allocated to Odia despite its classical language status. He also lamented the PM”s failure to recognize Odissi music and the contributions of Odisha”s heroes, including the late Biju Patnaik.

Furthermore, Patnaik accused the PM of failing to fulfill promises made to the people of Odisha, ranging from agricultural reforms to infrastructural development. He underscored the disappointment among Odisha”s populace over unfulfilled commitments, asserting that mere rhetoric during election seasons wouldn”t suffice.

“Remembering Odisha only at election time will be of no use,” Chief Minister Patnaik told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an video shared on his social media handles.

“Do you remember the promises you made in 2014 and 2019? People of Odisha remember your promise to reduce prices to, create 2 crore jobs, reduce LPG, Petrol, and diesel prices, provide mobile connectivity to all, reduce and waive GST. The people of Odisha have not forgotten any of these,” he said.

He also predicted that nothing will happen on June 10th (when the election results come). “The BJP cannot win the hearts of the people of Odisha. With the blessings from Lord Jagannath and the love of the people of Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal will form the government in Odisha for the sixth time,” the chief minister, whose party is ruling Odisha for the last 25 years said,