Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is optimistic of winning the next general elections in the state, said party’s state in-charge Arun Singh.
Speaking to reporters here, Singh said that his party would win the upcoming elections in a thumping majority by securing over 120 Assembly seats.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will win the polls in Odisha and will have single majority. During panchayat polls, I had stated that we will win seats 10 times more than the previous poll and we achieved it,” Singh said.
To corroborate his claim, the BJP leader said Modi’s popularity has grown while people are resenting the Naveen Patnaik government. Besides, the BJD government has done nothing for the people in the last 18 years. It is dipped in corruption, he alleged.
Singh further alleged the state government is now providing lollipops to people through its programmes including the Biju Yuva Vahini and the Ama Gaon Ama Bikash (AGAB) programme.
Replying to a query on speculation over Modi contesting the elections from Puri Lok Sabha seat, Singh said people from several states want Narendra Modiji to contest from their state. However, the PM will take the final call in coordination with the party’s parliamentary board, he added.
Reacting to Singh’s claim, BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy said BJP is losing its ground in various states for which they are now turned their focus to east. But, they will not able to do so here in Odisha as people have trust on BJD and Naveen Patnaik, he said.
“The BJP has lost Uttar Pradesh CM’s home turf and recent assembly by-polls in north east states. The party has shifted its focus to Odisha, which will have no impact,” the BJD leader said.
Commenting on state BJP’s proposal for contesting Modi from Puri, MLA (Puri) Maheshwar Mohanty said, “People of Odisha still have faith on BJD and BJP is trying to gain mileage by giving such misleading statements.”
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