Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public rally in Bhubaneswar, marked the first anniversary of BJP-led government in Odisha. He described the occasion as a special day, celebrating not just a political milestone, but a new era of development and faith-driven governance in the state.
“Today, June 20 is a very special day,” PM Modi said, “as the first BJP government in Odisha completes one successful year. This anniversary is about public service, good governance, and winning the trust of crores of people.”
He congratulated the people of Odisha and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and his team for their efforts. PM Modi praised Odisha as a land of rich culture and heritage, calling it a “divine star of India’s heritage” that has strengthened the country’s civilization for centuries.
The Prime Minister highlighted how the new government responded to people’s religious sentiments. “With the blessings of Mahaprabhu, all four doors of the Jagannath Temple were opened as soon as the BJP government came to power. The Ratna Bhandar was also opened. This is not about politics, this is about respecting the faith of crores of devotees,” he said.
PM Modi added a personal touch to his speech by sharing an incident from the recent G7 Summit in Canada. He said that when US President Donald Trump invited him to Washington, he politely declined because he wanted to visit the “Land of Lord Jagannath.”
He also spoke about Odisha’s development under the “double-engine government”, referring to the BJP governments at both the state and Centre. One major achievement he mentioned was the inclusion of nearly 3 crore people in the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana and the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. These health schemes now offer free treatment to poor families across the state.
Talking about national progress, PM Modi said that states like Assam, which once suffered from violence and separatism, are now on the path of peace and development. He drew parallels with Odisha, especially the tribal regions, saying that the BJP government had taken strong action against Naxal violence.
“Earlier, Naxal violence affected large areas. Now, it is limited to just 20 districts,” he said. “With the pace of our efforts, tribal areas will soon be completely free from Naxalism. Naxalism will be eliminated, it’s a Modi guarantee!”
