Bhubaneswar, May 22: BJP's Rourkela MLA Dillip Ray has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not honouring the commitment made to residents during his visit to the city.

Ray gave vent to his anger from concerns over delays in the execution of construction of the second bridge over the Brahmani river in Rourkela and a lack of effort to convert the Ispat General Hospital into a super-speciality hospital. He said despite raising these issues with the Centre, it was unfortunate no steps had been taken. Ray said: "Before being elected, Modi ji had promised to take up the work. He renewed those commitments even during his official tour as Prime Minister."

"I have met the Prime Minister seven times and the ministers concerned several times. I have even written letters repeatedly on this issue....

Ray also spoke about the BJP's representation from the district. He said the BJP had won from the Sundargarh Lok Sabha constituency in the last general election and Jual Oram was subsequently made a minister, while he was the MLA. If we fail to execute our promises, people will have a poor impression of the BJP," he said.

The BJP leadership tried to downplay the issue.

"It's common that people's representatives will react when work in their constituencies is not executed. But it would have been better had he not gone to the media," said state BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty.