Patnaik campaigns for self, calls Bijepur people family members

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bijepur (Odisha), Apr 17: Calling them as his family members, ruling BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday campaigned for himself in Bijepur assembly segment from where he is a candidate.

“I had come to Bijepur during the bypoll last year.  People of the area requested me to contest the elections from Bijepur and I decided to do so. Are you happy,” Patnaik asked the people of Bijepur, who were passionately witing to see their candidate.

Patnaik this time is contesting from two assembly segments- Hinjili in Ganjam district and Bijepur in Bargarh district. Patnaik was elected to the assembly from Hinjili four times in a row since 2000.

While stating that he was “happy” for meeting the people of Biejpur, Patnaik assured the gathering that development of the area is his responsibility. “It is my responsibility to ensure development of Bijepur,” Patnaik said while seeking blessings of the people.

Appealing the people to vote for conch sysmbol (BJD’s poll symbol), Patnaik lambasted the BJP and accused the saffron party of conspiring to stop the KALIA scheme of Odisha Government. “No one can stop the KALIA yojana till I am alive,” Patnaik said here.