Srikant Kumar Jena campaigns in Balasore. Telegraph picture

Srikant kumar jena, 63 (Congress)

Constituency: Balasore Lok Sabha seat

Polls on: April 17

MPspeak

I have been rated among the 30 best performers of the Lok Sabha on the basis of overall performance as an MP and as a minister. As far as my constituency is concerned, I have been working for the overall development of Balasore, be it infrastructure, education, health or public welfare.

During my tenure, the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology was set up. The UPA government has committed to set up a medical college and hospital in Balasore and the central government has already initiated moves to establish a 350-bed super-specialty hospital and a satellite centre of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here. Foundation stones for a software technology park in Remuna and a flyover in Balasore near Tamulia level crossing have already been laid.

The Centre has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 360 crore to ensure that flood water did not affect the NH-60 between Balasore and Jaleswar. The national highway stretch between Balasore and Bhadrak (part of the Calcutta-Chennai Highway) was in bad shape and it was repaired during my tenure. For the expansion of national highway between Balasore and Baripada, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 760 crore.

I have taken several measures for the development of the region as an MP, and am happy with my performance.

If re-elected

My priorities are to restore the coast canal to ensure better irrigation facilities, strengthen the communication network — roads and drainage. I would like to ensure that the road connecting Tamulia and Chandipur (which is being carried out by the ministry of defence, Chandipur, with a missile launch centre) is completed.

I will initiate permanent flood control measures in my constituency. My dream is to complete the oil refinery pipe works between Paradip and Haldia, which will change the economy of the coastal belt.

Voterspeak

I have never seen Jena during his tenure as MP. We have never met. He did nothing to improve city roads. I will vote for the candidates who will be here and work for us.

Baidyanath Mahalik
Balasore

Srikant Jena’s favourite slogan is “Delhi will come to Balasore”. Delhi never came and we never found him in his office. He sells dreams. Excepting for setting up a plastic institute, he has done nothing for the constituency. It is not known when the medical college and the AIIMS satellite centre will be set up here. The city needs an overbridge. The foundation stone was laid on the eve of the elections.

Manoj Nayak
Remuna