The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh, during a campaign roadshow for BJP candidate Dharmendra Pradhan in Sambalpur, accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of being held captive by a controlling coterie. Singh claimed that Patnaik intends to appoint his close aide V K Pandian as the next Chief Minister.
“He (Patnaik) comes, speaks for two minutes, and then leaves. He has been kidnapped and is being held captive,” Singh stated, alleging that the state is controlled by a mafia. Singh targeted Patnaik’s aide, V K Pandian, and recalled that Patnaik had previously expressed his intention to retire at 75. “Naveen babu said 20-25 years ago that he would retire at 75. Now he is 77 and planning to make Pandian the next CM. I urge the people of Odisha to vote for BJP to preserve Odia Asmita and ensure that a native takes charge of the state,” Singh urged.
Singh criticized the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government for halting Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Sambalpur, questioning where else Hindus could celebrate if not in their homeland. “If we can’t celebrate Hanuman Jayanti here, where should we go? Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Malaysia?” he questioned. He assured that under a BJP government, people would celebrate Hanuman Jayanti without fear.
Singh also addressed the Ratna Bhandar issue, accusing the BJD government of mismanaging the affairs of Puri’s Jagannath Temple. He praised Dharmendra Pradhan as “Bikas Purush” and predicted a victory for Pradhan in the Sambalpur seat by over 1.5 lakh votes. Sambalpur will vote on May 25, with Pradhan facing BJD’s Pranab Prakash Das and Congress’ Nagendra Pradhan.
The BJD has yet to respond to Singh’s statements. Meanwhile, actor Arun Govil, famed for his role as Ram in the “Ramayan” TV series, joined the BJP campaign, rallying for the party’s candidates in Champua, Telkoi in Keonjhar district, and holding a roadshow in Dhenkanal district. Govil expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects, stating, “Everyone wants the country to progress, and there is no better alternative than BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also campaigned for BJP candidate Pratap Sarangi in Balasore. Campaigning was active in six Lok Sabha seats — Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Puri, and Bhubaneswar — and 42 Assembly segments set to vote on May 25.