BJP will not be able to win in Odisha even during the next 10 years: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 11 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik on Saturday confidently claimed that the BJP won't secure a victory in Odisha during the next decade.
He expressed his faith in the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the affection of Odisha's people, predicting that the BJD will secure its 6th consecutive term in government.
"Nothing will happen on June 10. BJP will not be able to win in Odisha even in the next 10 years. With the blessing from Lord Jagannath and the love of the people of Odisha, BJD will form the government in Odisha for the sixth time," he said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi challenged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to name the districts of Odisha and their respective capitals without seeing them on paper and said that Odisha's development remains stunted as the state government doesn't trust the people's capabilities.
While addressing a public meeting in Odisha's Kandhamal, PM Modi said that Odisha has vast opportunities for the tourism sector to flourish.
"I want to challenge 'Naveen Babu' as he has been the CM for such a long, ask 'Naveen Babu' to name the districts of Odisha and their respective capitals without seeing them on paper. If the CM cannot name the districts of the state, will he know your pain?" the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, BJD hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments relating to the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha, saying he comes to give a booster dose to state BJP leaders as they do not have hope of coming to power but "even a booster dose will not help."
According to a BJD press release, Pandian said that BJP leaders have been "daydreaming" of forming government in the state for the past 10 years.
"PM Modi comes to give booster dose to the state BJP leaders and the BJP itself does not have hope that they will form government. Their leaders do not have hope that they will form government, and their grassroots cadre also does not have hope ... that is why they need booster dose, but for Odisha BJP, even booster dose will not help," Pandian said, according to the release.
Pandian said there are "many election tourists" who come to Odisha during elections, say sweet words but after the elections are over, they "disappear for the next five years".
Lok Sabha and assembly polls are being held simultaneously in Odisha. The four-phased Lok Sabha and assembly elections will start on May 13 and will also be held on May 20, May 25 and June 1. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is steering the party for a sixth straight term in office in the assembly polls. (ANI)