Odisha Govt, CM Naveen Patnaik Always Supported Centre To Combat Naxals: Amit Shah In Bhubaneswar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik for cooperating with the Union government to reduce Naxal violence in the state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday participated in the foundational stone-laying ceremony of various development projects in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar where he praised the state Chief  Minister Naveen Patnaik. Against the backdrop of Odisha’s ruling BJD announcing its opposition to the no-confidence motion against the Modi government, Amit Shah described Naveen Patnaik as "popular" and lauded him for becoming the Odisha CM five times in a row. Speaking on the occasion, he said, "Patnaik has created the record of becoming the CM of Odisha five times in a row. He is a popular chief minister", as quoted by news agency PTI.

The Union Home Minister further praised Naveen Patnaik and his government for their cooperation in reducing violence pertaining to Naxal and Maoists in the state. 

He said, "From 2015-2019, there has been a 30 per cent decrease in the number of naxal incidents, a 32 per cent decrease in encounters and a 56 per cent decrease in death of security personnel.”

While thanking the Odisha government for extending cooperation to us to curb Naxalism, he also said, as quoted by PTI, "Odisha government and Naveen Babu have always supported the Centre to combat naxals.”

These comments were made during the inauguration ceremony of laying the foundation stone for widening and strengthening of Moter to Banner via Ladugaon road in Kalahandi district, in Bhubaneswar

Speaking on the occasion, Naveen Patnaik said, as quoted by news agency ANI, "This year we plan to include 6,500 km of road and construction around 300 bridges...In recent years, we have completed two airports...Odisha always believes in cooperative federalism. I thank the Govt of India for its support to the state in its development agenda..."

Meanwhile, Amit Shah further said the state has adopted innovative methods for disaster management and has therefore emerged as a role model for the country.
As per PTI, Shah said, "I would like to again thank Naveen ji for helping the Centre by implementing all the disaster management initiatives in the state." 

Notably, these comments have come just a few days after Odisha's ruling BJD extended its support to the central government on the Delhi Service Bill. The party had also announced earlier that it would oppose the no-confidence motion against the Modi government.