Rahul Gandhi attacks BJD govt in Odisha, accuses it of stealing funds

Bhubaneswar, Feb 9:

vice-president

on Sunday lashed out at the BJD government in

, accusing the latter of stealing central funds meant for the people of Odisha. Addressing a

here, the Congress leader said he thought Odisha as the richest state in India inhabited by poor people. "You have everything that is needed to bring development. You have vast natural resources but yet there is no development,' he said.

The BJD government has done nothing for the people, Rahul said at the rally

He said whatever funds the Centre sends for the development of Odisha, get disappeared somewhere in between. "We send money for social welfare schemes like MGNREGA and mid-day meal but it is misutilised," he said. He also accused the Naveen Patnaik government of backing the mining mafia and not helping the people. He said the BJD government does not work for employment and improving standards in schools and colleges. "Twenty-two out of 30 districts of the state are hit by Naxal problem," he said.

Rahul Gandhi asked the people of Odisha to throw out the BJD from power and elect a government which will work for the common man.

Naveenn Patnaik, son of legendary Odisha leader Biju Patnaik, is in power in the state since 2000 and is favourite to do well in the upcoming Lok sabha election, according to recent pre-poll surveys.

[Read: Patnaik magic to continue in Odisha]

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