Odisha verdict will surprise India, it’s going to be second Tripura, says PM

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the poll verdict in Odisha will surprise India and the state will be second

Tripura

(where BJP stormed to power last year).


“Odisha Hindustan ko surprise kar dega. Is baar Odisha dusra Tripura ban jayega. (Odisha will surprise India. It will become a second Tripura)” Modi said while interacting with people from various parts of the country under his ‘MainBhiChowkidar’ programme.

The PM said this in response to a question from Pabitra Parida, a fisherman from Kendrapda, who participated in the programme through video-conferencing. “I have seen people’s response during my recent visit to Odisha,” he said.

The BJD dismissed the PM’s claims as tall talks with no basis. “Many BJP leaders have been making tall claims. But wait for May 23, when counting of votes is scheduled. Things will be clear,” BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said.

Modi had launched his election campaign at

Jeypore

in Odisha on March 29. He is scheduled to address a rally at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district on April 2 and another in Sundargarh district on April 6.

Notably, the BJP swept to power in Tripura, ending the Left Front’s 25-year rule in the north-eastern state last year. Tripura’s Manik Sarkar failed to lead the CPM fifth term under him. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has been seeking votes for a fifth term for him.