BJP will form government in Odisha with full majority: Rajnath Singh

He was addressing a public meeting in Khordha, Odisha, to campaign for BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Aparajita Sarangi and assembly candidate Prashant Jagdev.

"For 25 years, the BJD government has been in power in Odisha. This time, I am confident, even several political analysts are also saying that the BJP will register strong wins on Odisha Lok Sabha seats. After 75 years, BJP government will be formed with a clear majority in Odisha," Singh said addressing the public meeting.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also heaped praises on party candidate Aparajita Sarangi for her "connect" with the people and "dedication" to work for them.

"If someone can effectively take Odisha's voice to the Parliament, it is Aparajita Sarangi. Despite being a civil servant, the level of dedication I have seen in her, is unprecedented. Usually, civil servants don't have this level of public connect, that I have in her," the Defence Minister said.

"You might have seen political parties that make huge promises but don't fulfil them. There is a huge difference between their words and deeds...this crisis was created by parties like Congress and BJD. But, BJP has taken this up as a challenge. I would like to promise that we will fulfil whatever promise we make," he added.

The assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls in Odisha are taking place simultaneously. The elections are being held across four phases--from May 13 to June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

In the last assembly elections in 2019, the BJD won 112 out of 146 seats. BJP won 23 seats and Congress got nine seats.

In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD mopped up the lion's share of the electoral spoils, with the BJP and the Congress bringing up the rear. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. (ANI)