A handful of corrupt persons has captured CM's office: PM Narendra Modi

BHUBANESWAR: Launching a blistering attack on the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD govt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said it has been captured by corrupt individuals and asserted that BJP will come to power on its own with absolute majority in Odisha.
"A handful of corrupt persons has captured the CM's residence and office. Even small BJD leaders have become owners of properties worth crores," Modi said while speaking at election rallies in Angul and Dhenkanal.
Modi said neither Odisha's wealth nor culture is safe at the hands of the BJD."BJD's kachcha chittha (account) of corruption is unfolding gradually before the country," the PM said on a day five LS and 35 assembly segments under them went to polls in the second phase of voting in the state. In Cuttack, the PM said a section of the media has started speculating that there could be hung assembly in Odisha.
'BJD govt not allowing people to benefit from mineral wealth'
Reiterating his earlier statement that a BJP CM in Odisha will take oath on June 10, Modi said, "Let me make it very clear. A full majority BJP govt will come to power here. BJP will write the history of a developed Odisha for the next 25 years."
While Modi attacked the BJD, he was silent on the Congress. Observers feel this could be due to the direct battle between BJD and BJP in Odisha with Congress not getting much traction.
The PM alleged that the BJD govt is not allowing the people of Odisha to benefit from the state's mineral wealth. He highlighted the new mining laws introduced by his govt which brought significant funds to Odisha, including the creation of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in which the state got Rs 26,000 crore. However, Modi claimed that corrupt BJD members took undue advantage of these funds meant for welfare activities and infrastructure development.
Modi also raised concern about the safety of Odisha's cultural heritage under the BJD govt, particularly the Jagannath Temple in Puri. He pointed out that for the past six years there has been no information about the whereabouts of the keys to the Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasure of Lord Jagannath. "The BJD govt and those who have captured the chief minister are directly responsible for this," the PM said.
Modi claimed the missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar has gone to Tamil Nadu and asked the crowd if they would forgive the person responsible for this act, making a veiled attack on Naveen's trusted aide V K Pandian, who hails from Tamil Nadu.
Modi also questioned the BJD's decision to conceal the findings of an inquiry into the missing keys, suggesting the silence has only increased people's doubts. He assured the people of Odisha that once a BJP govt is formed in the state, the inquiry report will be made public. "Those who lack compassion for Odisha's heritage cannot protect it," he said, adding only the children of Odisha can ensure the state's rapid progress.
Modi also alleged that land, sand and mining mafias were ruining the state and said a single mafia holds sway over various sectors in Odisha. "After BJP comes to power, the mafia will not be spared," he said.