PM Modi hits out at Naveen Patnaik, says CM’s farewell imminent

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed two rallies in coastal Odisha on Tuesday, appealed to voters to elect a leader who could best protect the country from enemies. He brought up the Balakot air force strike and the testing of anti-satellite missile under his term, as achievements of his government.

The testing of the anti-satellite missile established “India as a super power in space” making all Indians proud but rattled the Mahagatbandhan which couldn’t share in this pride and wanted it kept a secret, the PM said.

The BJP’s penetration of coastal Odisha, considered a stronghold of the Biju Janata Dal, will be key to its aim of bringing about “double-engine” growth (having a BJP government at the Centre and state).


In his fifth visit to the state, which is having simultaneous assembly and general elections, Modi’s attack on the CM turned more direct. “During the first and second phases, I respected the sanctity of the elections and avoided discussing Naveen babu. Since he has served Odisha for so long, I wanted his farewell to be a good one. I was quiet out of respect for him,” he said.

“But during the past 10-12 days, like in Bengal, the way violence has been resorted to by a handful of his officers…I want to tell him, Naveen babu, your going is imminent. These handful of officers cannot save you,” Modi said in Kendrapara.

Campaigning for Baijayant Panda, the former BJD MP from Kendrapara, Modi said, “Give five years to the BJP to serve you in Bhubaneswar. I promise, we will do five times what has been done here in 19 years. If you want to transform Odisha, give us a chance.”