Bhubaneswar, Nov. 25: Expelled Congress leader Soumya Ranjan Patnaik today launched a campaign from Birmaharjpurpur in Sonepur to create an alternative to the BJD government.
Announcing that he would convert Ama Odisha, a social organisation, into a political outfit, Patnaik said: “Good people should enter the politics.”
Reacting to Patnaik’s rally, both the BJD and the Congress said it would not be able to make any dent into their bases. Addressing today’s rally, Patnaik targeted both the BJD and the Congress.
“The BJD has a tacit understanding with the Congress. The BJP had already made a tie-up with the BJD. The equation between the BJP and BJD can change any time. The time has come to create an alternative, which can rescue people from poor governance and anti-people policies,” Patnaik said.
Stating that he would be able to provide an alternative leadership which can ensure inclusive and all round growth of the state, Patnaik said: “The Re 1-a-kg rice, which is only meant to keep the BJD’s vote bank intact, cannot serve the purpose and bring any change in the society.”
He, however, said: “Needy people should be given Indira Awas houses, subsidised rice and other benefits. The dignity and honour of the people should be upheld at all times and at all costs. But that is not happening in the state.”
Patnaik, who was expelled from the Congress last month for organising parallel rallies, said: “Those in the Opposition should have provided an alternative to the government. But they have failed. When I tried to do something about it, I was expelled.”
He also came down heavily on the BJD supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
“Over the past 12 years, he has failed to bring any prosperity to the state. He has failed in this regard and the state tops the country’s poverty list,” he said.
BJD vice-president and finance minister Prasanna Acharya said: “As an individual, he has every right to air his views. We have nothing to say.”
Pradesh Congress Committee chief Jaydev Jena said: “Many people join the Congress and later leave. It will not make any difference.”
