Naveen Patnaik is like a 'defunct transformer': Amit Shah

Amit Shah expressed confidence that the BJP's 120-plus seat mission in the state would certainly fructify.

Bhubaneswar: BJP president Amit Shah on Friday described Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as a "defunct transformer" and said the people of the state should replace the BJD government for overall development of the state.

"Narendra Modi is like a power house and supplies huge funds to the state. But Naveen Babu is like a defunct transformer because of which people of the state are deprived of development," Shah said at a BJP workers' meet on the third and last day of his visit to Odisha.

"As we change a defunct transformer to get better electricity, the people of Odisha should also replace the BJD government for overall development of the state. Odisha has every right to progress and this is not possible till Naveen Patnaik is at the helm," he said and asked the partymen to take the message to each "doorstep in the state".

Claiming that the people of Odisha want change, Shah said the recent three-tier panchayat election was a glaring example of BJP's growing popularity in the state.

"The BJP could get about 33 per cent of votes in the rural polls. Therefore, there is every possibility of the party making further progress in 2019 assembly elections," he said.

Shah expressed confidence that the BJP's 120-plus seat mission in the state would certainly fructify as "the people have made up their mind to throw out the BJD government."

The growth of the BJP has given Naveen Patnaik sleepless nights, he claimed.

The BJP president also slammed Patnaik for his alleged inability to communicate in Odia.

"I humbly tender my apology for being unable to speak in Odia language. But, will others (Patnaik) also beg apology from the people of Odisha for not being able to speak the local language and still rule the state," he said.

Hitting out at the BJD government, Shah said the Centre had given around Rs four lakh crore to the state over the last three years and sought account for it.

"Though the Centre has been pumping funds for the development of Odisha, the state government is not cooperating for the overall progress of the state," he alleged.

He said while the Centre allocated additional Rs 1.25 lakh crore to Odisha through the 14th Finance Commission, another Rs 2.60 lakh came to Odisha under different central schemes.

"Therefore, I ask where is Rs 4 lakh crore. I doubt that the amount has gone into the hands of corrupt elements in the government and the party," he said, issuing a cautionary that none indulging in corrupt practice can escape if BJP assumes office in Odisha in 2019.

He alleged that the Patnaik government has failed on all fronts as the people could not get 24x7 power supply, safe drinking water, proper sanitation, good health care, education and other essential needs during the 18-year rule of the BJD.

"What actually did Naveen Babu do during these 18 long years? he asked and alleged that there has been "unemployment, massive migration, rampant corruption and loot."

Shah also raised the issue of mining scam, chit fund scam and other irregularities which, he said, have directly affected the people and the state exchequer.

Apart from criticising the BJD regime, Shah asked the party's grass-root level leaders drawn from 36,000 booths from across the state to highlight the good work done by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

"The people in villages should be informed that there is no corruption in the central government during these three years of NDA rule. This apart, they should also be told that the Centre has been funding most of the welfare schemes being implemented in the state," he added.