Unfazed by the “lawlessness” attack by the opposition, especially the BJP, Patnaik said, “Those who insult the people of Odisha by calling them lawless are working against the state.”
Patnaik also took on the opposition parties for allegedly hurling abuses at women candidates. During his campaign in Jharsuguda on May 7, Patnaik had also slammed opposition parties for lacking “decency” in politics. (Photo source Twitter/@NAveen_Odisha
Taking a dig at the opposition BJP, which often calls for “double engine government” in opposition-ruled states including in Odisha, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday said that single or double engine is not significant.
“From people’s point of view, governance is important. Good governance and pro-people governance always wins,” he said at the BJD headquarters addressing party workers following the party’s victory in the Jharsuguda assembly bypoll, which its candidate Dipali Das won by a large margin.
Patnaik, who generally gives video messages or addresses people through the media, visited the newly constructed party headquarters, Sankha Bhawan, to celebrate the BJD victory and thank party workers for their efforts.
Unfazed by the “lawlessness” attack by the opposition, especially the BJP, Patnaik said, “Those who insult the people of Odisha by calling them lawless are working against the state.”
Patnaik also took on the opposition parties for allegedly hurling abuses at women candidates. During his campaign in Jharsuguda on May 7, Patnaik had also slammed opposition parties for lacking “decency” in politics.
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“Those who insult our sisters, mothers and daughters because they dare to enter the public space are working against the people and their prosperity. People of Odisha will never forgive them,” said Patnaik.
The Patnaik government has organised around 70 lakh rural women under six lakh self-help groups (SGH) under the Mission Shakti programme, which works for economic empowerment of women by providing them easy bank loans to take up various livelihood activities. The SHGs are considered the biggest support base of BJD’s electoral success in the past two decades.
Patnaik said the opposition has always criticised Mission Shakti members, which people of Odisha will never tolerate. “BJD has always encouraged participation of women in public life. Mission Shakti initiative has given them a platform to voice their issues and it has also empowered them,” said Patnaik.
The BJD had fielded seven women candidates for 21 Lok Sabha seats during the 2019 polls as part of its decision to reserve one-third seats for women. In December 2018, it had also reached out to as many as 22 national and regional parties to build a consensus to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.
With the general and assembly polls a year away, when the regional party will seek a sixth straight term in the state, the ruling dispensation does not want to leave any stone unturned to derive the maximum mileage out of the Jharsuguda victory and to send a message about its popularity among people. According to BJD insiders, the party has directed all its district units to celebrate its victory across the state.
Patnaik also took on the opposition parties for allegedly hurling abuses at women candidates. During his campaign in Jharsuguda on May 7, Patnaik had also slammed opposition parties for lacking “decency” in politics. (Photo source Twitter/@NAveen_Odisha 
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