Let lotus bloom for development: Modi

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday exuded confidence that the lotus will bloom in Odisha as he targeted the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress for "territorial discrimination".

"The discrimination on the basis of territory that the BJD government is doing in Odisha, the same discrimination the Congress and its allies have done for decades with the entire eastern India," Modi said while addressing an election rally in Sundargarh.

"Do you want development or discrimination? If you want development, let the lotus bloom in the state. This time lotus will bloom in Odisha. I can say with certainty that the maximum number of lotuses will bloom in the state," said Modi.

The Prime Minister said the BJD has obstructed development in the state, while it has no good intention to see the state prosper. He added that the BJD has obstructed the implementation of financial assistance to farmers; free treatment to the poor under the 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' and the BJD needs to be punished for that.

"The 2019 election is very crucial for Odisha. You have to decide whether you want to vote for a hardworking and honest party or a corrupt one," said Modi.

He alleged that both the BJD and Congress were not concerned about the safety of women. The Prime Minister also targeted the Congress for going soft on terror groups. "India now enters the homes of terrorists and kills them.

There were governments earlier, but there was no surgical strike and aircraft did not eliminate terrorists' hideouts by crossing the border of other countries. AIt's indicative of strengthening India," said Modi.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party commemorating the foundation day, he praised the sacrifices of the party workers to make it the world's largest democratic party.

"The BJP was formed out of the sacrifice of 'karyakartas' (supporters).

Today the BJP flag is fluttering proudly in regions where it was unimaginable at one point in time. BJP is the biggest democratic organisation in the world. It is a party of young India, it is a party of the aspiration of India.

We are now a strong option to the Congress and other parties which were formed from within Congress," he added.

He said while several parties are built with money power, the BJP is established by the sweat and blood of its workers.

The Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats.