Addressing his first election rally in the state, PM 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 the ongoing elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024," PM Modi said at the Berhampur rally

Addressing another rally in Nabarangpur, the tribal heartland of Odisha, the prime minister claimed that his government has been working for the welfare of indigenous people

"You have seen the track record of ten years of Modi's leadership. Modi increased the budget for tribal welfare by five times than the earlier allocation," the PM said at the Nabaragpur rally

PM Modi claimed that his government at the Centre has set up 'Eklavya Model Residential' schools in tribal areas and the number of such schools has crossed 400, he said

"People belonging to ST, SC and OBC categories comprise seven per cent in his ministry," he said

PM Modi also claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from the 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. Paddy farmers in Chhattisgarh get MSP of Rs 3,100 per quintal, but those in Odisha receive Rs 2,100, he alleged