'BJD Has No Vision': Union Minister On VK Pandian’s Claim Of 'BJP Would Stop Welfare Schemes'

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reacted to BJD leader VK Pandian's recent remarks on Mission Shakti and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY) schemes. Read on to know more.

Responding to BJD leader VK Pandian’s recent comments on Mission Shakti and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY), Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday asserted that the policies of free ration and wellness centres under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme were initiatives brought forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Pandian’s statement came on Monday during his campaign visit to Chitrakonda in Malkangiri. 

“You ask anyone in Odisha or across the country who brought the policy of free ration. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Narendra Modi has brought this. Today, wellness centers are being built under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme of the Government of India. They have no policy, no rules, and no vision. In future, they will also say that we brought Lord Jagannath,” Union Minister Pradhan said. 

“What will they do after coming to power? On the first day, they would stop Mission Shakti and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. So you the 4.5 crore people should strengthen our Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s hands,” Pandian said.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had taken aim at Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Ptnaik and his administration, alleging that the ‘state is being run by Pandian’. Gandhi criticised the governance model in Odisha, juxtaposing it with the policies of the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“They are benefitting 22 people. They have given PANN to Odisha. The state is being run by Pandian, Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, Naveen Patnaik, means PANN. They have looted you. Nine lakh crore was looted through the mining scam. 20,000 crore was looted through land grabs. The plantation scam was of 15,000 cr. As soon as the Congress government is formed, we will start giving you back your money,” Rahul Gandhi asserted.

READ | 'Odisha Run By Pandian, Shah, Modi & Patnaik. They Have Looted You': Rahul Gandhi

With Odisha poised for simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections across four phases starting from May 13, political rhetoric has intensified. The ruling BJP, led by Naveen Patnaik since 2000, faces a challenge from the BJP, which emerged as the primary opposition of the party. 

Notably, Pandian’s newfound political prominence has drawn criticism from the BJP, and Congress, both of which have seized upon his perceived outsider status. The BJP, in particular, has shifted its campaign around “Odoa Asmita” (Odia identity) as a key issue, with Pandian becoming a target of scrutiny. 

While BJP has sought to highlight Pandian’s outsider status and raise questions about his “ascension” to the Chief Ministerial role, the BJD leader robustly defended himself, challenging the BJP’s claims and asserting his growing popularity amongst voters.