Naveen ridicules BJP’s ‘people's government’ claim, says public suffering in Odisha

BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday ridiculed Odisha's BJP government's claim of being a "people's government’, and accused the Mohan Charan Majhi dispensation of focusing only on speeches and publicity instead of real development.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

Patnaik was addressing party leaders and workers at the ‘Jan Jagaran Abhijaan' at Sankha Bhawan, the BJD's state headquarters here.

"The BJP government was formed only a year ago and it is claiming to be a people's government. But, where are the people? Development is not achieved only by long speeches and huge advertisements,” he said.

Stating that the people have been the worst sufferers in the last one year of BJP rule in the state, Odisha's former five-time chief minister alleged that farmers, women and youth are suffering, and that there is no sign of any development.

Alleging that the health service system has completely collapsed in Odisha, Patnaik said 90 per cent of the state's population was getting benefits of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) during the BJD government.

"Now, Ayushman Bharat scheme has been launched, but people are not getting medicines, and they cannot receive treatment in hospitals without paying money," Patnaik alleged.

Claiming that the posts of chief district medical officer (CDMO) in 19 of the 30 districts of Odisha are vacant, Patnaik said thousands of people are being harassed.