Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday kicked off the campaign for the important Nuapada by-election, asserting that the double-engine government at both the Centre and the State is diligently working to elevate the development of Nuapada district. Speaking to a large crowd at the Bijay Sankalp Samabesh in Nuapada, the Chief Minister renewed his commitment to personally oversee the district’s development, aiming to transform it from one of the most underdeveloped districts into one of the leading ones in the State. Emphasizing recent development efforts by the State government, Majhi mentioned that he has announced projects worth over Rs 1,101 crore specifically for Nuapada district to fulfill his promise.
He highlighted that in the past 16 months, the State government has provided projects worth Rs 1,400 crore to Nuapada district. The Chief Minister emphasized that the ruling BJP consistently honors its commitments to the public, in contrast to the previous BJD government. He pointed out that within 24 minutes of taking office, the BJP implemented the Subhadra scheme and raised the total MSP on paddy to Rs 3,100 per quintal under the Samrudh Krushak Yojana. Criticizing BJD leader and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Majhi accused him of repeatedly promising development during elections but failing to follow through after winning.
He stated that BJP candidate Jay Dholakia would diligently continue the work left unfinished by his father, the former BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, whose unexpected passing on September 8 prompted the need for the by-election in Nuapada. The Chief Minister also condemned BJD leaders for their personal attacks on Jay Dholakia following his switch to the BJP, expressing surprise that Naveen Patnaik had not denounced these attacks from his party members. Majhi asserted that the voters of Nuapada would respond appropriately in the upcoming by-election. He dismissed the idea of a triangular contest, claiming the real competition would be between the BJP and the Congress.
He urged party workers in the district to fully commit themselves to securing victory in the forthcoming Nuapada by-election. Numerous workers and leaders from the BJD and Congress joined the BJP during the significant event in Nuapada on Thursday.
