Damodar Rout slams Odisha Congress over allegations of BJD-BJP Nexus

Bhubaneswar, Aug 28: Dr. Damodhar Rout, Co-operation and Excise Minister of Odisha government and prominent leader of BJD party, said that Odisha Congress chief Prasad Kumar Harichandan should introspect about his party position and policies first, in a statement issued here on Friday.

Reacting to the statement made by Harichandan over BJP-BJD nexus, Damodhar said that BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik declared in 2009 that the party would maintain equal distance from BJP party and Congress party. He added that the BJD has been maintaining same stand without changing it. BJD government in Odisha has been working within the constitutional framework with ruling BJP-led government at centre.

People of Odisha acknowledged the BJD’s development work and bestow confidence on its leadership as a result the party  was remain in power since 2000, he said. During its rule, the Congress gifted empty treasury, corruption, unemployment and poverty to the state. Of late that has been changed under the able leadership of Naveen Patnaik, Damodhar said.

World Bank and Planning Commission have expressed happiness over the development work carried out in Odisha by the BJD government. He said Congress leader Harichandan should introspect first rather trying ways to malign the image BJD party and its leadership.