Centre conspiring to stop KALIA scheme : Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik Tuesday campaigning for himself at Bijepur assembly constituency accused the BJP government at the Centre for conspiring to stop his government's KALIA scheme.

"People of the area requested me to contest the elections from Bijepur and I decided to do so. Are you happy?" Patnaik asked the people.

Patnaik this time has been contesting from two assembly segments - his home turf Hinjili in Ganjam district and Bijepur in Bargarh district. Patnaik was elected to the assembly from Hinjili four times in a row since 2000.

He lambasted the BJP, which is all geared to put up a stiff fight this time, and accused it of conspiring to stop the KALIA scheme of Odisha Government.

"No one can stop the KALIA yojana till I am alive," Patnaik said here.

The KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) yojana has been launched by the Odisha government to gear up growth in the agriculture sector and alleviate the poverty rate in the state.

Without taking any names, Patnaik said that though there were two ministers in the union council from Odisha they do not fight for the state.

The BJP chief said he would serve the people of Odisha till his last breath.

Patnaik reiterated his promise of providing two instalments of financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to farmers under the KALIA scheme on the first day the BJD forms the government after elections.

Apart from Bijepur, Patnaik, the lone star campaigner for the regional party, held a marathon election campaign in Bargarh district which is going to polls in the second phase on April 18 addressing public gatherings at Bargarh, Barpali, Bijepur and Gaisilat.

Patnaik also held a road show from Raghunathpali to Rourkela Airstrip.