Kendrapara: Although the poll bugle has not been blown yet, the political scene in Kendrapara district is slowly getting hotter as major political parties and leaders have started coming to meet their party workers. A pre-election meeting was organised by the Congress at Karilopatana Haat Padia here to strengthen the party and break into the half century old anti-Congress bastion of Patkura Assembly seat.
Odisha Pradesh Committee President Niranjan Pattanaik, PCC Working President Chiranjeev Biswal, AICC Secretary Gidugu Rudraraju, Manifesto Committee Chairperson Ganeswar Behera, Rajnagar MLA Anshuman Mohanty, DCC President Chinamay Beura and the defeated Congress candidate of Patkura, Jayant Mohanty, attended the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, PCC President Niranjan Pattanaik criticised the Naveen Government for failing to solve the problems of farmers and the issues of public health and unemployment in the state.
He said the BJD government had failed to stop rapes. From 2001 to 2005 four women were raped a day while from 2015 to 2018 the numbers have gone as high as 18, he added.
The Naveen and Modi governments have failed to create jobs as they promised last time, he said. Around 60 lakh Odia youths are hunting for low end jobs like labourers, peons and guards outside the state, and around 50 lakh unemployed youths are looking for a job in the state, he added.
If the Congress comes to power the loans of farmers would be written off, financial assistance would be given to them for five years and canal irrigation and solar pumps would be provided, he declared. The Congress would focus on unemployment, he said.
The OPCC chief said that if the Congress comes to power 80 per cent of Odia youths will get jobs in upcoming industries. Companies would be asked to set up 30 per cent of their ancillary units in the state, he said.
He said that corruption is seen everywhere in the state. Law and order has hit the nadir and the High Court was closed for 70 days, he added.
The Biju Yuba Bahini was launched for capturing polling booths. He said that instead of giving money to the Biju Yuba Bahini, the government should have filled the 1.51 lakh posts which were unfilled. The Congress would also oppose liquor if it comes to power, said Niranjan.
Addressing the gathering Chiranjib Biswal said that the infighting among party workers will not be tolerated.
He said the days of lobbying were gone and that party tickets would be given only to eligible candidates. He urged party workers to close ranks and to win the anti-Congress seat of Patkura.
Meanwhile, the public here condemned the double standards of the Congress in supporting the two-day general strike and allowing vehicles carrying party workers to ply to the meeting venue.
PNN