Even though BJP and BJD leaders in Odisha are denying a possible tie-up between the two erstwhile allies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on Naveen Patnaik’s rule at a rally in the eastern state on Tuesday fuelled the speculation. Modi targeted the Congress and the INDIA alliance over corruption, scams, governance and “parivarvad” (dynastic rule). The Prime Minister, who addressed a "Modi Ki Guarantee” rally at Chandikhol in Jajpur district, his second this year, exuded confidence of a record victory in the upcoming polls. Modi said the enthusiasm and energy shown by people at the venue was an indicator that NDA would surpass 400-seats in Lok Sabha. He, however, did not mention anything on the BJP’s plan in Odisha despite the state going to the polls simultaneously along with the Lok Sabha election. “Itni vishal sankhya main aapka yahan ana… ye purab ka mood dikhata hai… Odisha ka sankalp kya hai… ye aj saaf saaf nazar aa raha hai… aur ye sankalp hai… ab ki baar… 400 paar. (The huge congregation shows the mood of the east. Odisha’s resolution is clearly visible from the crowd. The resolution to surpass 400 seats,” Modi said. “The resolution to cross 400-seat mark is to make India the third largest economy of the world. The resolution is to once again make a strong and decisive government in the country. The resolution is to transform the lives of farmers, youth, women and poor. The eastern part and Odisha will have a significant role in it,” the PM said. Before addressing the rally, Modi dedicated development projects worth around Rs 20,000 crore for Odisha in a separate meeting that was attended by CM Naveen Patnaik among others. While Patnaik lauded Modi for “setting a new direction for India” and for taking India on an accelerated drive to make the country an economic powerhouse, Modi addressed Patnaik as “lokpriya” (popular) CM. “India is now the 5th largest economy. Marching forward to be the number 3 in a few years. I thank the Prime Minister for his focus on the development of Odisha. I seek his support in the endeavour of 4.5 crore people of Odisha,” Patnaik said. Both Patnaik and Modi were seen exchanging greetings and pleasantries on the dais. As Modi’s visit coincided with the 108th birth anniversary of former CM and BJD’s political idealogue Biju Patnaik, Modi also hailed the legendary leader for sacrificing his life for the nation. “Despite BJP being the principal opposition party in Odisha and eyes to wrest power from BJD, the PM did not utter a single word on Patnaik’s rule. The PM not even once mentioned about the double engine government in Odisha. He must have considered the BJD as a trusted ally at the Centre because of which he did not want to upset the BJD leadership,” said a senior BJP leader, without wishing to be named. “The PM is the best judge of the public mood. He must be realising that the state unit of BJP has not gained the strength to take on BJD in Odisha. Patnaik has also admitted that he has “cordial relations” with the Central government. Given the support Patnaik’s party has extended to Modi government in the past, the PM might have decided not continue the cordial relations with the BJD in Odisha,” the BJP leader said. Underlining his government’s continued support to Odisha and the kind of investment the state has attracted that will make it the “Gateway of Viksit Bharat”, Modi targeted the Congress and its allies for failing to develop it. “The pace of development could have been increased earlier as well. But the entire focus of the Congress and its allies was only to fill their coffers. How could the Congress that looted coal think of feeding the poor for free? How could the Congress, which did a scam in urea procurement, think of making urea available to farmers. How could the Congress, which indulged in scams in recruitment processes, provide employment to the youth,” the PM said. “Whenever the poor sought help from the previous Congress governments, they used to demand any guarantee— be it opening bank accounts, seeking bank loan or applying for jobs. Look at the coincidence. Son of a poor assumed power at the Centre and he assured that Modi will be the biggest guarantee of the poor. We launched Jan Dhan, Mudra and PM Vishwakarma schemes. Modi’s guarantee begins where all hopes end,” he said. “The INDIA leaders are saying that it’s a fight of ideology. Their ideology is “family first”, while Modi’s ideology is “nation first”. These people are living for their own family, while Modi is living for every family,” the PM said.
