Locals aware of how Congress neglected Odisha: Pradhan

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], Feb 6 (ANI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and his party of neglecting Odisha.
Speaking during the launch of 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat, Modi ke Saath' campaign here, Pradhan said, "Rahul Gandhi hails from a family that ruled India for over four over decades and was in power in Odisha for a long period of time. The people of Odisha already know how Congress has neglected Odisha and are aware of the true character of the Congress party."
Pradhan also alleged that the BJD has close ties with the Congress party, adding that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has links with Rahul Gandhi and AgustaWestland accused Christian Michel.
"BJD’s MP Kalikesh Singhdeo’s support for Eurofighter along with Rahul Gandhi exposes the links between the two parties. Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi and Naveen Patnaik stand in same position over Chit Fund scam," asserted Pradhan.
He also cited the existence of an alleged Tamil Mining Mafia and demanded clarification from Rahul and Patnaik on the issue.
Pradhan said, "Tamil mining mafia controls both the Congress leadership in Odisha as well as Naveen Patnaik. Rahul Gandhi and Naveen Patnaik should clarify to the people of Odisha, the links between Odisha Pradesh Congress Chief Niranjan Patnaik, a Tamil officer in the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office and the Tamil mining mafia."
Earlier in the day, Rahul had promised to apply the Land Acquisition Bill and bring a Tribal Bill in Odisha, if voted to power.
"Chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is a thief) and Naveen Patnaik is remotely controlled by chowkidar. Whatever chowkidar tells Naveen Patnaik to do, he just agrees to it,” Rahul had said during a public rally in Rourkela. (ANI)