Puri: In his address to party cadres at the BJD's 20th foundation day event here on Tuesday, chief minister Naveen Patnaik took a leaf out of his Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee's book and advised them to work tirelessly for " maa (mother), mati (motherland) and manisha (people)". Curiously, however, he did not have a word of criticism for the Centre.
Greeting party workers at an impressive gathering here with " Jay Jagannath", Naveen advised them to follow the tenet of "simple living and high thinking".
He said: "Simplicity has its own power that connects to the masses. Party workers should help people in need with a sympathetic attitude."
Reminding them that people were the real masters, Naveen said: "Serve the people with all humility and fulfil all the promises that we have made."
He also reminded party leaders that it was because of people's love and support that they had achieved such a high station in life. "Now the time has come to return it. We should work in such a manner that our children will be proud of us," he said.
Naveen, known for his simple lifestyle, made it clear that "power, prestige and property have no value before the love of people".
The opposition, however, slammed Naveen's call for simplicity saying it was "hypocrisy". BJP leader and Union minister Jual Oram said: "The chief minister has conceded that the corruption level had gone up. Even his party leaders use costly luxury vehicles."
Senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said: "Naveen babu has remembered about the need for development after 17 years. What was he doing all these years?"
Turning emotional, he recalled the beginning of his political journey in 1997 as an MP from Aska and how he had gone from strength to strength with the love and support of people.
"I am proud to be an Odia. The people of Odisha are my family and I am always dedicated to the service of the people," he said and resolved to make the state number one in the country.
Though Naveen did not slam the Centre, it was left to other BJD leaders to criticise Delhi on issues such as special category status for Odisha, Mahanadi river issue and the Polavaram dispute.
The leaders said that the party had prepared a list of issues to protect the interests of the state and take on the Centre. The issues include reduction of funds in central schemes, railway negligence, revision of mining royalty, minimum support price for paddy, construction of a second bridge over Brahmani river, industrial corridor and central assistance for natural calamity.
The leaders also highlighted the government's achievements in the 17 years under Naveen. They said that Odisha had surpassed states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat in terms of growth.
