Assembly polls: BJP promises to waive agriculture loans if voted in Odisha

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced Sunday that all agriculture loans would be waived in Odisha if the BJP comes to power in the state after 2019 Assembly polls.

Pradhan was speaking at a function where former Congress MLA Madhababananda Mallick joined the saffron party with his supporters at Basudevpur in Bhadrak district.

"The BJD government in Odisha has failed to safeguard the interest of farmers. If the BJP comes to power in the state after the next elections, all farm loans will be waived," said the Union Petroleum minister.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJD, the Union minister said that unemployment is growing every year and youths in the state are going out of the state for jobs.

The state has plenty natural resources and skilled manpower, but the BJD government made little effort to create employment opportunity, he said.

Hitting out at Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik, the BJP leader said the BJD rule was marked by rampant corruption and disregard for democratic practices. A series of scandals, including the multi-crore chitfund and mining scams, rocked the state during the BJD rule, he said.

Pradhan also hit out at the state government accusing it of publishing misleading advertisements on Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

BJP is the only alternative to root out corruption and take the state on a path of growth, he said adding the state would witness rapid development if the BJP remains in power both at the Centre and Odisha.