BJD govt will expire on June 4: PM Modi in Odisha
Berhampur (Odisha) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced.
Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi urged people to give a chance to the BJP to make Odisha the number one state in the country.
In an apparent dig at BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the prime minister said, "Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture."
"The BJP will form a double-engine government here after elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024," Modi said at the Berhampur rally.
He also claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the "BJD government did not implement" it in the state.
The Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme to Odisha but the BJD dispensation could not spend the money properly.
"You have given 50 years to Congress and 25 years to BJD. Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country," Modi said at the rally.
Odisha has fertile land, mineral resources, and sea coasts, but people are still poor, he claimed.
"We released a visionary manifesto for Odisha promising jobs for youths and women and health facilities for senior citizens. BJP fulfils what it says: Modi added.
The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously.
"I have come here to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM on June 10. On the very day, we will implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana which the Naveen Patnaik government has been resisting. This son of Lord Jagannath will take care of all senior citizens under this scheme," Modi said.
Referring to Patnaik's alleged weak command over Odia language, Modi said: "A person, who lives, understands and takes pride in Odia culture and tradition, can help resolve the problems of Odisha at a faster pace...".
He appealed to the people to allow BJP to serve the state for once and it is Modi's guarantee that Odisha will be turned into the number one state in the next five years.
The prime minister said Odisha lags behind in every development parameter despite having huge resources like water, fertile land, rich mineral wealth, and a vast coastline.
"Who is responsible for Odisha’s backwardness? Why are the people of resources-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for next 25 years. The BJD is sinking, while Congress is a spent force and the BJP is the only ray of hope for the people," he said.
The prime minister also said that the BJP has given the country's highest post to the daughter of Odisha. "It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji tells me every minute for the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance," he said.
Responding to Modi's claim, senior BJD leader and Naveen Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian said: "Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9."
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Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi makes emergency landing
Bengaluru(PTI): An Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi made an emergency landing at Bengaluru after a fire was noticed in one of the engines, the Bangalore International Airport Limited said on Sunday.
All the passengers and crew were evacuated and no one was injured, Air India Express said in a statement. According to sources, the fire was noticed minutes after the take off.
The crew members alerted the Air Traffic Controller and a full scale emergency was declared.
Soon after emergency landing at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, the fire was extinguished.
"On May 18, 2024, IX 1132 from Bengaluru to Kochi made an emergency landing at BLR Airport at 2312 hrs, due to a reported fire in one of the engines," a spokesperson of the BIAL, which manages KIA, said in a statement.
A full-scale emergency was declared, and the fire was promptly extinguished upon landing. All 179 passengers and six crew members have been successfully evacuated from the aircraft, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) spokesperson said.
An Air India Express spokesperson said that due to suspected flames from the right engine after takeoff, the Bengaluru- Kochi flight 'elected' to return and carried out a precautionary landing at Bengaluru . The ground services also reported flames, resulting in an evacuation.
"The crew accomplished an evacuation with no injuries to any guests. We regret the inconvenience this has caused and are working to provide alternative arrangements for our guests to reach their destination as soon as possible," it said.
"A thorough investigation with the regulator shall be accomplished to establish the cause,” it said.
