Dhenkanal, May 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the ruling Biju Janata Dal led by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, saying that for the first time, there could be a government with support from both the state and central BJP.
"Ghar-ghar se ek hi awaaj aa rahi hai - Odisha me pehali baar double engine ki sarkar' (A voice is coming from every house that for the first time, there is going to be a double-engine government in Odisha...), said PM Modi.
He urged people to vote for BJP's candidate Sambit Patra for the Puri Lok Sabha seat. Modi highlighted the importance of voting, especially for first-time voters, during the ongoing fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections.
He spoke at a public meeting in Dhenkanal, Odisha and encouraged people to cast their votes despite the heat. Modi also paid homage to Jagannath in his speech. 'Mai Gujarat se aaya hun, mai Somnath ki dharti se aaya hun, mai Jagannath ki dharti ko pranam karne aaya hun' (I have come from Gujarat, from the land of Somnath to pay respect to the land of Jagannath)," PM Modi added.
Earlier, he held a roadshow in the city accompanied by Sambit Patra. Modi's visit to Odisha and West Bengal included public meetings in Cuttack, Tamluk, and Jhargram.
The fifth phase of elections covers 49 constituencies across six states and two Union Territories, with voting starting on Monday. The elections, spanning seven phases, will conclude on June 1, with results expected on June 4.
(Inputs from ANI)
