Bhubaneswar: PM Modi on Saturday exuded confidence the lotus will bloom in Odisha as he targeted the BJD and Congress for “territorial discrimination”. “The discrimination on the basis of territory the BJD government is doing in Odisha, the same discrimination the Congress and its allies have done for decades with the entire eastern India,” Modi said at an election rally in Sundargarh.
“Do you want development or discrimination? If you want development, let the lotus bloom in the state. “This time lotus will bloom in Odisha. I can say with certainty the maximum number of lotuses will bloom in the state,” said Modi. The PM said the BJD has obstructed development in the state while it has no good intention to see the state prosper. He added the BJD has obstructed the implementation of financial assistance to farmers, free treatment to the poor under the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ and the BJD needs to be punished for that.
“The 2019 election is very crucial for Odisha. You have to decide whether you want to vote for a hardworking and honest party or a corrupt one,” said Modi. He alleged both the BJD and Congress were not concerned about the safety of women. The PM targeted the Congress for going soft on terror groups. “India now enters the homes of terrorists and kills them. There were governments earlier, but there was no surgical strikes and aircraft did not eliminate terrorists’ hideouts by crossing the border of other countries. It’s indicative of strengthening India,” said Modi.