“We Have Nothing To Be Ashamed Of”: Naveen Patnaik To Party MLAs

Odisha’s outgoing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said when he took charge of the state, 70 per cent of the population was living below the poverty line, and during his 24-year tenure, he brought it down to 10 per cent.

Meeting the newly-elected MLAs of his party, he said the BJD would continue to work for the state.

“When I first became the Chief Minister, 70 per cent of the people of Odisha were living below the poverty line. Now, only 10 per cent people are below it. Our efforts in agriculture and irrigation sectors and women empowerment have led to this achievement. We have nothing to be ashamed of,” he told the MLAs.

Mr Patnaik, who also heads the BJD, said his party has served the people of Odisha for the last 24 years and would continue to work for the state.

Earlier in the day, Mr Patnaik tendered his resignation to Governor Raghubar Das, following the defeat of his party in the assembly polls.

The BJP stormed to power in Odisha by securing 78 of the 147 assembly seats, while the BJD managed to win 51 seats. The Congress bagged 14 constituencies and CPM secured one, while three Independent candidates also emerged victorious. The results were announced on Tuesday.

Mr Patnaik’s resignation marks the end of an era in Odisha’s politics. He took oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for the first time on March 5, 2000, and, was re-elected four times since then.

BJD MLA Arun Sahoo, who met Mr Patnaik in the morning, said, “Naveen Patnaik has a big heart. He has asked us to serve the people of the state. We are grateful to him”.