Patnaik's commendation is notable as it occurs amidst discussions regarding the increasing camaraderie between BJD and BJP in anticipation of the 2024 elections, encompassing both the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during an interactive session at an event hosted by a private media company, expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his efforts to combat corruption. Patnaik praised PM Modi’s government, giving it a rating of “8 out of 10,” especially commending its foreign policy initiatives and its commitment to reducing corruption.
“I rate the Modi government 8 out of 10 because of its achievements in foreign policy and various other areas. Additionally, there has been a decrease in corruption under this (BJP) government,” Patnaik remarked during the event.
Patnaik also shared his perspective on the Women’s Reservation Bill, emphasizing its significance. He mentioned his party’s strong support for women’s empowerment and highlighted his father’s (former CM Biju Patnaik) efforts in reserving 33 percent of seats for women in local elections, which he later increased to 50 percent.
When discussing the relationship between his government and the Central government, Patnaik emphasized the importance of collaboration for the development of the state. He described the relationship as cordial and stressed the significance of the Union government’s partnership in the state’s development.
This praise for PM Modi comes in the context of growing cooperation between the BJD and BJP in preparation for the 2024 elections, both at the national and state levels. It is worth noting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously praised Naveen Patnaik during his visit to Odisha, acknowledging him as a “popular” Chief Minister and commending the state’s disaster management efforts.
Patnaik also emphasized the potential for politics to serve as a platform for public service and stated that his government has been dedicated to poverty eradication and the comprehensive development of Odisha. He cited the successful handling of natural disasters and the United Nations’ recognition of their disaster management efforts.
Having completed 23 years in office in March of the current year, Patnaik reflected on the progress made in various sectors during his tenure.
