Bhadrak: Union Minister Amit Shah criticized the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday, accusing the regional party of neglecting Odisha's people and failing to develop the state over the past 25 years. He was addressing a public meeting in Chandbali, Bhadrak district.

"Naveen babu is trying to impose a Tamil chief minister on you. You've tolerated Naveen babu, but we won't tolerate this Tamil babu," Shah said.

Shah expressed confidence over BJP's victory in the Lok Sabha polls by claiming that the party has already secured 310 seats after the fifth phase of polling. "By the sixth and seventh phases, we aim for over 400 seats. Additionally, we need to win 17 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha and form a BJP government here by securing over 75 seats. On June 4, the results will be announced, and Naveen Patnaik will become the former chief minister. After 25 years, Odisha will have an Odia-speaking CM," Shah said.

He alleged that despite Odisha's wealth in natural resources, its people remain poor, blaming Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the situation. "Vote BJP into power, and we will ensure no youth has to leave the state in search of work," he promised.

Shah also questioned the whereabouts of the Ratna Bhandar keys of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. "I want to ask CM Naveen Patnaik what happened to the original keys of Ratna Bhandar? Duplicate keys were made, and Naveen babu needs to explain why the probe report isn't public. Who is the BJD government protecting? Vote for BJP, and we will reveal the report within a month," Shah asserted.

Furthermore, Shah criticized the state's refusal to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme. "PM Modi pledged to provide drinking water, yet millions here are deprived. We will meet the demand for a medical college in Bhadrak within four months of forming the government and grant autonomous status to the college here," he added.