Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik on Saturday criticised the BJP for failing to name a chief ministerial candidate for the ongoing Assembly election in the State.
“Who is the BJP’s second engine in Odisha,” asked Mr. Patnaik, in an apparent response to the appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others to the people to vote for the BJP and a “double-engine governmen” in the State and the Centre for development of Odisha.
“The people of Odisha want to know who the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate is. Where is his constituency? Is the BJP scared to announce its CM candidate,” asked Mr. Patnaik during a rally at Daspalla under Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat.
Countering top BJP leaders who have been campaigning in the State, Mr. Patnaik criticised them for visiting the State only during elections.
“The leaders from Delhi come during elections. They will not been seen after the polls. I have always remained with you,” Mr. Patnaik told the crowd.
The BJD president also accused the BJP leaders for not visiting Odisha during Phailin and Hudhud cyclones and floods. He said that help from the Centre came during Titli cyclone, but it reached Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Patnaik, who undertook a roadshow covering Kandhamal and Aska Lok Sabha constituencies during the day, addressed two public meetings. Both constituencies and the Assembly segments under them are going to the polls on April 18.
