Bhubaneswar: In a fervent address today at a rally held in Cuttack’s Salepur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi didn’t mince words when pointing fingers at both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Rather than tiptoe around the issue, Gandhi boldly proclaimed that PM Modi’s administration in Delhi blatantly favors billionaires, while Patnaik’s regime in Odisha caters solely to a privileged few.
Pulling no punches, Gandhi went on to allege that despite the facade of rivalry between the BJD and BJP in the political arena, they are secretly in cahoots. “Whether you want to call it a partnership or a marriage, the BJD and BJP are essentially two sides of the same coin,” Gandhi asserted, stirring the crowd with his candid remarks.
Taking aim at Patnaik, Gandhi drew attention to the significant influence wielded by VK Pandian, a close aide to the Chief Minister. Gandhi insinuated that it’s Pandian, not Patnaik, who calls the shots in the state’s governance.
In a thinly veiled jab at PM Modi, Gandhi accused “Uncle-ji and Naveen-babu” of colluding to exploit Odisha, symbolized by the acronym PAANN—Pandian, Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, Naveen Patnaik—thus depleting the state’s resources for their own gain.
Setting the tone for the Congress campaign leading up to the imminent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Gandhi reiterated his firm belief that despite their public rivalry, the BJD and BJP maintain a covert alliance.
Moreover, Gandhi outlined the Congress party’s vision for Odisha, promising significant reforms including monthly financial aid of Rs 2000 for women, Rs 3000 for unemployed youth, 200 units of free electricity, and Rs 3000 per quintal for paddy procurement, aiming to uplift the state’s populace and bring about tangible change.
