Bhubaneswar: Launching a scathing attack on Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress on Sunday claimed that both the parties colluded to promote the rule of bureaucrats and ‘outsiders’ in the state. Have happened.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Congress’s newly appointed Odisha in-charge alleged that Odisha is the only state where ‘outsiders’ and bureaucrats are ruling, rendering elected representatives powerless.
He claimed that the people of the state are suffering because the ruling BJD is working as an ‘outsourced’ party.
Alleging large-scale corruption in all sectors in the state, the Congress leader also targeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Odisha.
Taking aim at Naveen with the ‘outsider’ jibe, Kumar said, ‘outsiders are heavy on Odisha’ and the people of the state should throw them out and re-establish Odia pride.
Citing Abraham Lincoln’s government of the people, by the people and for the people, the Congress leader said, ‘Orissa should be of the Oriyas, by the Oriyas and for the Oriyas.’
Calling upon the people of Odisha to oust ‘outsiders’ and save the state, Kumar said Naveen had made the state poor by giving away mining and other sectors to ‘outsiders’.
Saying that there is no dearth of talented MPs, MLAs or leaders, he wanted to know why the Chief Minister was giving all the powers to an outsider and why contracts worth crores of rupees were being given to outsiders.
He claimed, since major activities in mining and other sectors have also been handed over to outsiders, Odisha is still counted as the poorest state, where all the money is going out.
Claiming that both BJD and BJP are working together, the Congress leader said there have been no ED or CBI raids in Odisha due to their undeclared alliance. Despite rampant corruption in Odisha, the Modi government ensures that there are no ED, CBI or IT raids in the state, he alleged
In the same manner, while attacking the Odisha government, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sharat Patnaik called BJP and BJD as brothers and said that both are working for each other’s interest.
Claiming that BJP and BJD have reached an agreement for the upcoming elections, he said people should oust them from power and vote for Congress.
