Cuttack, Apr 28: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stepping up the party’s campaign in Odisha on Sunday lashed out at the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government for rampant 'corruption' in last 24 years and appealed the people to vote infavour of the Congress candidates for the all-round development in Odisha.

Addressing a huge public gathering at Salepur in Cuttack, Gandhi alleged that the Naveen Patnaik government was facilitating the loot of the state’s resources in various fields including plantation and mining.

The Gandhi scion declared if Congress came to power in the state, the looted money would be returned to the residents.

“Your money was stolen by the BJD government through the mining scam worth Rs 9 lakh crore, farmers’ land grab worth Rs 20,000 crore and plantation scam worth Rs 15,000 crore. I am giving these numbers because when the Congress party comes to power here in Odisha and in Delhi, we will start returning the money they have looted from you,” roared Rahul at the rally, drawing applause from the crowd.

Gandhi said that Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik was running the government for a ‘select few’. He also said that though Naveen Patnaik was the Chief Minister, the state government was being run by his aide VK Pandian.

The Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad also promised the crowd that if Congress came to power in the state, Rs 2000 each per month would be deposited in the bank account of women, Rs 3000 would be deposited in the account of unemployed youths and free electricity up to 200 units, kitchen gas cylinder at Rs 500 will be given to the public.

He also elaborated on the several Nyay Yojanas of the Congress party and explained how these will benefit the common citizens if the party is voted to power.

Notably, Odisha will vote in simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in four phases starting May 13. The results will be declared on June 4.

Read More: Odisha News

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