"Odisha govt deprived people of central health, housing benefits": Nadda slams CM Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 5 : BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government, saying, for political reasons, the Odisha government deprived its people of the health and housing security provided by the Central government.
After releasing BJP's manifesto for Odisha assembly elections JP Nadda said, "Schemes like PM AWAS Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which have helped millions of people across the country, were not implemented here in Odisha. For political reasons, the state government of Odisha deprived its people of the health and housing security provided by the Central government."
He accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of not fulfilling their promises, low income for farmers, poor education, and increasing violence against women.
"Promises made by the BJD still remain unfulfilled. Not only do farmers lack water for irrigation, but the earnings of farmers in Odisha are the lowest in the entire country. The school and university education system in Odisha are in a dire state. Violence against women is ever-increasing in the state, and what's worse is that leaders of the BJD are involved in these crimes," he said.
"Today, the income of farmers in Odisha is the lowest, and the migration of people from here is also the highest. The condition of education is bad and Odisha ranks number one in harassment of women. Corruption and theft have become common here," he added.
He mentioned that the BJP will construct Odisha Bhawan in every metro city and provide an annual allowance of Rs 10,000 per fisherman during the lean period.
"Odisha Bhawan will be built in every metro city. In the coming 3 years, we will create 25 lakh Lakhpati Didi. For fishermen, annual lean period allowance of Rs 10,000 will be given per fisherman," he said.
"We will build 15 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojana. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water will be provided to every house in 26 lakh houses," he said.
The Assembly elections will be held in Odisha in four phases, from May 13 to June 1, along with the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.
In the 2019 Assembly election, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won 112 out of 146 seats, while Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 23 seats and Congress won 9.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won the majority of seats in the state, while the BJP and the Congress brought up the rear. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat.