(OD)
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Friday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, accusing him of betraying the people of Bijepur by resigning from the seat he had won in the April Legislative Assembly election. Pradhan, launched his party’s campaign from Gaisilata block, part of the Bijepur Assembly segment, where the by-poll is scheduled October 21.
BJP has fielded Sanat Gartia on the seat.Patnaik was elected from two Assembly seats – Hinjili in Ganjam district and Bijepur in Bargarh district. He quit the membership of Bijepur in June this year.While urging people to vote for the BJP nominee, Pradhan sought a reply from Patnaik as to why he vacated the Bijepur seat.
“The people of Bijepur had committed a mistake by electing Patnaik. Why the Chief Minister retained Hinjili and quit Bijepur?” Pradhan asked. “What is Patnaik’s intention in retaining Hinjili and quitting Bijepur? This indicated that the Chief Minister love Hinjili and not Bijepur. He has betrayed the people of Bijepur,” Pradhan alleged while addressing another election meeting at Talapali.The Union minister pointed out that Patnaik had announced that he would ensure overall development of Bijepur during the 2018 by-poll. But, the basic facilities like healthcare, irrigation and drinking water supply are not so far available to the people.
