Naveen Patnaik’s turn to ask for special status for Odisha

NEW DELHI: Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday pitched for a special category status for his state while accusing the Centre of following a policy of “political discrimination” in granting central assistance.

“The policy of discrimination pursued by the UPA government is a dangerous trend, not conducive to a healthy federal structure. The government is following different policies for different states,” Patnaik said while addressing a rally in Delhi. He alleged that the “selfish interest” of the Congress Party has become the “sole criteria” of central assistance.

“The central government has been giving funds to different states on political considerations,” Patnaik said, adding discrimination was evident even during natural calamities like floods. The demand for special status “shall continue till we achieve our just demand” because it concerns the “Oriya dignity” and aspirations of the four crore people of the state, he said.

Patnaik, who sought to strike a chord with the crowd by speaking in his mother tongue, said the nation cannot move forward by denying even one state of its rightful claim but “successive governments at the Centre have ignored their demand.”

In a clear jibe at the Congress and BJP, which have described the gathering here as an “amusement rally”, Patnaik said he was disappointed that some Odisha leaders and political parties were engaged in compromising the dignity of the state. He referred to the low rail network penetration in the state and the alleged indifference of the Centre towards the poor and the tribal living around mining areas among others to buttress his claim of the Centre’s neglect.