Odisha Election 2024: In his inaugural address at an election rally in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi positioned himself as the harbinger of change, challenging the incumbent BJD government in the state. Modi, invoking his association with the revered Lord Jagannath, claimed the end of the BJD government, remarking June 4 as its 'expiry date', coinciding with the announcement of assembly election results.


"The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024," Modi declared at the Berhampur rally, exuding confidence in his party's electoral prospects, as quoted by news agency PTI. Modi took a subtle jab at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, stating, "Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture."






He outlined his vision for Odisha's future under BJP rule, promising to elevate the state to premier status within the country. He highlighted his government's initiatives for tribal welfare, boasting a fivefold increase in the budget allocation compared to previous regimes. "You have seen the track record of ten years of Modi's leadership. Modi increased the budget for tribal welfare by five times than the earlier allocation," he asserted at the Nabarangpur rally.


Highlighting the establishment of over 400 'Eklavya Model Residential' schools in tribal areas, he asserted, "Modi increased the budget for tribal welfare by five times than the earlier allocation".


However, Modi lamented the alleged negligence of Odisha by the BJD government, citing unutilised funds from central schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission. He accused the BJD of hindering the implementation of central schemes in the state, to the detriment of its citizens.


"Odisha has not benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the BJD government did not implement it in the state. The Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme to Odisha but the BJD dispensation could not spend the money properly," Modi criticised, as quoted by PTI.


He urged voters to entrust the BJP with power, promising transformative change. "Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country," he declared.


In a critique of the state's developmental trajectory, Modi questioned the persistent poverty despite Odisha's abundant resources. He attributed this disparity to decades of misrule by Congress and subsequent stagnation under the BJD, positioning the BJP as the sole beacon of hope for the state's future. " Who is responsible for Odisha’s backwardness? Why are the people of resource-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for the next 25 years. The BJD is sinking, while the Congress is a spent force and the BJP is the only ray of hope for the people," he said.


"It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji always tells me about the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance," he remarked.


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BJP 'Daydreaming For Many Days': Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik


Responding to Modi's assertions, senior BJD leader VK Pandian reaffirmed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's dominance in Odisha's political landscape, asserting his imminent sixth consecutive term, PTI reported.


Meanwhile, Odisha CM and Biju Janata Dal President Naveen Patnaik termed Prime Minister Modi's assertion that the BJP will form government in the state as "daydreaming".






"BJP has been daydreaming for many days," Patnaik remarked when his trusted aide V K Pandian asked him about the BJP's claims to form government in Odisha this time.


Pandian went on to say, "Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9."


Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be held in Odisha in four phases from May 13 to June 1.