Angul: Union Education Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday once again targeted the ruling BJD and called on the people to help oust its 25-year rule and install the BJP government in the state.
The Union Minister was campaigning in Athamalik in Angul district that day. Athamallik falls under Sambalpur parliamentary constituency from where he is contesting against BJD candidate and party’s organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das. Pradhan held a massive road show in Antulia before attending a rally of workers in the area.
Launching a scathing attack on BJD, Pradhan said there is no power in the world that can bring about change in the state and stop Narendra Modi from becoming Prime Minister for the third time. He urged BJP workers to go door-to-door and tell people how Modi is supplying them rice.
“The NDA government has given Rs 18 lakh crore to the state government, out of which Rs 10,000 crore has been allocated for drinking water. However, despite central grants, people of the state are suffering from drinking water crisis,” he said.
Pradhan further said that apart from the shortage of drinking water, there are no doctors in hospitals, no teachers in schools and everything is a mess in the state. “I appeal to all of you to preserve the Odia language and culture, which the Chief Minister has handed over to a person from another state. In one of the videos, the CM is there and the remote of the video is in the hands of another man.” Alleging that Odisha is in a pathetic condition, Pradhan also stressed on maintaining the self-respect of the state.
The Union Minister is scheduled to file nomination papers in Sambalpur after offering prayers at Samlei Peeth on May 2. On that day, Sambalpur Assembly candidates Sanjib Sahu, Pratap Behera and Agasti Behera were present.
