Business Standard

Naveen holds marathon rallies in KBK region

The Odisha CM dwelt on poverty eradication scheme of his govt, slammed the negligence of Centre in providing financial assistance

BS Reporter Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik today held seven back-to-back rallies at different places of the poverty-stricken Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) region, stressing on tribal welfare schemes.

The BJD supremo held marathon rallies at Kundram, Bangelapet, Kakiriguma and Koraput town in Koraput district, Tikiri (Rayagada), and at two places of Bissam Cuttack (Rayagada).

The undivided Koraput district is seen as a strong bastion of the Congress party except for 2009, when its Lok Sabha candidate Giridhar Gamang lost to BJD candidate Jayaram Pangi. To ensure more votes in favour of BJD this time, the chief minister talked about poverty eradication schemes of his government and criticised the Centre in providing financial assistance.
 
“When the UPA government at the Centre was planning to close the KBK plan, we started our own Biju KBK Yojana from our own fund”, said Patnaik during a rally in south Odisha today.

However, both the plans for the KBK region are currently under implementation.

Patnaik also talked about one rupee rice scheme, steps for irrigation and other benefits the region would get as per BJD manifesto, if the party is voted to power.

The party supremo also campaigned for Hema Gamang, the MLA candidate for Laxmipur constituency. She has recently joined BJD after resigning from Congress. Her husband Giridhar Gamango is contesting as a Congress candidate from Koraput Lok Sabha seat.

Campaigning at Koraput district was a strategic planning by BJD, as Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also campaigned in the area today and slammed the state government.

Last week, Patnaik had travelled to many parts of Kalahandi and Bolangir districts.

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First Published: Mar 31 2014 | 8:12 PM IST

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