Rourkela: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who made a quick visit to the Steel City Wednesday, addressed a massive gathering at the Sector-13 Melana Field. There was a presence of over 50,000 persons from different parts of the district who thronged here braving the scorching sun.
The CM was found in a very jolly mood as he broke away from his traditional manner of speaking. Instead, much to the delight of the delirious crowd, the CM asked, “Do you love Naveen Patnaik?” This was enough for the crowd to break into a rapturous ‘yes’.
As Patnaik began asking a few questions such as “BSKY is good or bad?”, the crowd went on answering in even louder affirmations each time. Then he continued to ask, “Mission Shakti Yojana, Mamata Yojana, LAccMI bus, 5T schools, KALIA, Madhubabu pension, Parikrama project at Puri are good or bad?” The crowd responded enthusiastically.
Then he went on to give a promise, which is considered by many as the masterstroke. “There will be no power bill from July. The first 100 units will be for free. Apana mane khsui ta (Are you all happy),” he asked.
Tearing into the Opposition, he said, “The Opposition is lying and crying crocodile tears.”
Then he quickly concluded his speech with an appeal, “Vote for the Sankha Chinha (conch symbol), vote for Odisha’s development.”
Soon 5T Chairman Kartik Pandian, who was holding the mouthpiece for the CM, started his address.
“Our CM sir loves Sundargarh and loves hockey. For that, he gave a world-class hockey stadium in such a short time despite all the odds. Today, you have more than 20 astroturfs including ones in all the blocks for the development of the game. All these have given a new identity to Sundargarh,” said Pandian.
Then he warned the crowd not to make the mistake of electing the Opposition BJP again. “You have once made the mistake of electing the Opposition and saw how the development of Rourkela got stopped. Don’t commit that blunder again, vote for BJD and vote for Sankha,” he said. Then he went on to add, “CM sir has bigger plans for the city and don’t miss the opportunity. Our leader is unlike others, he talks less and works more.”
He then took a dig at the Central government as he asked, “Has the oil prices dropped? How the super-speciality hospital was handed over to a private party instead of to AIIMS?” Then he asked what the Opposition BJP, which has an MP from here, has done for Rourkela or Sundargarh.
Finally, he assured the crowd, “Let me see how many of you do not have the BSKY card?” Instantly a good number of hands went up.
Looking at the hands, he said, “Our CM sir will be sworn in June 9. The first file he will sign is regarding the power bill promise we have made. Then the second file he will sign is regarding BSKY for those 20% left out from the scheme.” He urged the crowd, “Bless our CM sir and BJD and you will see, the speed of development will be doubled.”
The seven BJD MLA candidates including minister Sarada Nayak, for Rourkela and Archana Rekha Behera, for Raghunathpalli were present on the stage. Besides, Dilip Tirkey, the BJD MP candidate for Sundargarh was also present.
PNN