BHUBANESWAR: With panchayat elections only four months away, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday targeted the Centre and asked it not to become a roadblock in development of States.
Addressing a meeting here in Bhubaneswar Central Assembly constituency as part of the month-long padayatra of the BJD from October 2 to November 2, the CM said in a federal system, the Centre should not forget its role in development of States. "The Centre always has a special role to play in development of States," Naveen said.
The CM said emphasis should be given to development of poor States. Stating that Odisha Government always believes in the federal spirit, he said this should not be considered as its weakness. The unilateral construction of Polavaram dam project by Andhra Pradesh Government and Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh were also raised by the CM in his speech. Naveen said the State Government will continue its fight till people get justice in both these issues.
The Jan Sampark yatra of the BJD is organised from October 2 to October 11 every year. However, the yatra has been extended to one month from October 2 to November 2 to make people aware about Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh.
On the other hand, reacting to the CM's speech, BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said Central neglect is no longer an issue after the Narendra Modi Government came to power at the Centre. Criticising the State Government for its all round failure, Sharma asked, "Who is responsible for the death of so many children in Malkangiri due to Japanese Encephalitis and backwardness in tribal areas of the State?"