Amit Shah takes a dig at Naveen Patnaik, asks Odisha not to elect English speaking-chief minister

BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday cautioned the people of  Odisha not to repeat the mistake of electing an English speaking chief minister who cannot understand their feeling. Shah was targetting Naveen Patnaik whom he alleged of being unable to speak Odia language despite being chief minister for 19 years.

"While returning from this rally, take a pledge not to elect an English-speaking CM. You may be Odia or Telegu. But, keep it in mind that the English-speaking CM cannot understand your agony and feeling," the BJP president said.

Shah, who addressed two election meetings on 'Utkal Diwas' at Parlakhemundi under Berhampur Lok Sabha seat and Umarkpote under Nabarangpur Parliamentary constituency going to polls in the first phase on April 11, invoked Odia pride and called upon people to choose a chief minister who can speak the language and understand the sufferings of the masses.

Assembly election in Odisha is also scheduled to be held along with Lok Sabha polls in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

Noting that Odisha was created as a separate state out of Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province on the basis of the language, Shah repeatedly appealed to voters to not commit the same mistake. You have tolerated a lot.

He appealed to people to elect a "young" Odia chief minister who can speak in your language and feel the problems of the people. However, he did not reveal the name of the "Young" leader who will become BJP face in the state.

I appeal to voters to give BJP a chance to form a government in Bhubaneswar. While BJD has been ruling the state for 19 years, you have also elected Congress governments for years. Please give the BJP a chance to rule Odisha and we will make it the number one state in the country, Shah said.

People of Odisha must bring a "double-engine" government by voting BJP to power both in the state as well as the Centre as it will ensure speedy development all over.

While dubbing the BJD government as a "fused" transformer (jala hua transformer), Shah said this government has created unemployment for which a large number of youths have been migrating to other states in search of jobs. Shah promised to reverse the trend if BJP is voted to power in the state.

He said over 30,000 migrant labourers had attended his rally in Surat last Saturday. Why is it that the youths have to leave their families back home and travel to far off places in search of jobs? We will ensure opportunities are created within Odisha to check migration, Shah promised.

The BJP chief also alleged that corruption was rampant under BJD rule in the state and no work is done without payment of bribe or commission.

Claiming that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has ensured central allocation of Rs 5.58 lakh crore for Odisha during last five years in comparison to Rs 80,000 crore given during previous UPA rule, Shah said the money did not reach the villages because the state government had posed obstacles in resource allocation.