The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Hinjili, Odisha): On Wednesday, in Hinjili, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik launched his election campaign, making a significant announcement that Odisha has become the first state in India to introduce a separate agriculture budget. During his speech, Patnaik emphasized the government’s focus on creating a “golden era” for the youth through initiatives in employment and skill development and announced plans for a dedicated Youth budget.
Patnaik underscored that the forthcoming decade would be dominated by Odisha, pointing to the state’s identity as synonymous with development. He criticized opposition parties for obstructing developmental projects, such as the Shree Mandir Prikrama project, and expressed confidence in the public’s awareness of these political tactics.
The campaign rally, also addressed by 5T Chairman VK Pandian, comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, which are scheduled to occur in four phases starting May 13, with results announced on June 4.
Reflecting on past elections, in 2014, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. However, the 2019 elections witnessed a political shift, with the BJD’s seats decreasing to 12, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) increased its tally to 8 seats, marking a significant rise in its state presence. The Indian National Congress (INC) also managed to capture a seat during this election cycle.