Naveen Patnaik
History will remember the UPA-II government for its numerous scandals, scams, and corruption, probably the maximum number ever.
The people of Gujarat were always more prosperous than most other states. It is the people of Gujarat who should be given credit for the development of Gujarat.
Personally, I have never considered myself corrupt or seen the need to be so. People are judged as what they are perceived to be.
I think it is commonplace for parties to change candidates and reshuffle ministries to bring in new faces.
I think political parties can be funded in a perfectly rational way without being corrupt.
The people of Orissa had unmatched love and respect for Bijubabu. There is no way that you can wish away his legacy.
The JD, as a party, is dead.
I think of Mr Modi as a very hard-working person.
We've always tried to run a transparent and honest government.
Odisha faces natural calamities almost every year. The assistance we get from the Centre is mostly for temporary restoration of infrastructure. We have to spend a lot from state's own funds to work for the long-term. This puts too much stress on our finances. Precisely for this reason, Odisha should be considered for special category status.
For cyclone-proof energy infrastructure, we would definitely explore all possibilities, including international support.
Development of Kendrapada is now my responsibility. I will personally monitor development of the district.
The four and half crore of people in Odisha are my family, and I will serve them till the last breath.
The people of Odisha know who fulfils promises and who does not. We believe in works and not in words.
After 2014, a number of my friends from Delhi rang up very concerned because they thought I was in bad health. But my health has always been good, and I told them so. They told me that this is what Baijayant Panda was spreading. This was a shock.
My sister is not interested in any political positions; not in Rajya Sabha or anything else.
The women of Odisha will lead the way in women empowerment in India.
If India is to lead the world, if India is to be an advanced nation like America and China, then women empowerment is the only answer.
I am very grateful to the MLAs for unanimously electing me as the BJD legislature party leader.
I believe in constructive cooperation from the central government for any development and welfare schemes for Odisha. I want to work in cooperation with them for the development of the state.
We always need the support of the Centre.
I want to clarify that as far as the Mahagathbandhan is concerned, the Biju Janata Dal is not a part of it.
I get maximum satisfaction in seeing the happiness of poor people.
The opposition leaders are opportunistic seasonal birds. Where were they when Cyclone Phailin, Hudhud, Titli, and even drought hit Odisha? Now it's election time, they are swarming Odisha to seek votes.
Where is special category status? Where is women's reservation bill? Where is the farmers' insurance? Why did Odisha not receive any cooperation and help from the Centre?
Empowerment of women is the empowerment of the nation. No household, no society, no state, no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women.
Rising fuel prices, growing agrarian distress, and unemployment are the three major issues to dominate the 2019 general elections.
Aska is going to create history and show the way to the entire country by sending a member of women SHG to Parliament and four women members to the state assembly.
I have fielded mothers, whose empowerment can bring the real double engine growth.
Centre supports Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in Polavaram and Mahanadi cases. They are sidelining the interests of Odisha.
There is no question of any alliance with the Congress party. The Congress have always neglected the people of Odisha.
My government's pro-women initiatives, starting from Mission Shakti to Mamata, along with 50% reservations for women in the panchayat and urban local body polls have helped empower women in political, social, and economic spheres.
During the launch of the 'Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash' scheme, I directly spoke to women representatives from the interior villages of Sambalpur and Narayanpatna. From the way the women explained the issues pertaining to their villages and their collective needs, I understood that women empowerment has reached even the grassroots of the democratic setup.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people of Bijepur Assembly constituency for having showered their blessings on the BJD.
I am happy to announce that to provide remunerative price to millets-growing farmers and to improve the nutritional security, state government will procure millets and utilize them in government schemes.
My action against corruption has been well acclaimed by the people of Orissa.
Biju Babu lives in the hearts of millions of Oriyas. Our party has been named after him. People expect us to carry forward the unfinished task that Biju Babu has left for us.
I face no problem in communicating with the people of Orissa whom I meet everyday.
International carriers need to be given greater role in our skies on all routes like several other large countries to make our aviation industry more efficient and competitive and prevent arbitrary pricing by monopolies.
My father did not groom us for politics. I took the plunge because I wanted to carry on his work in his constituency.
Orissa is cursed by the two tragic extremes of drought and famine.
My father used to say that you haven't learnt anything about politics unless you've been out of power for at least 10 years. That's why I am certain I am here to stay.
The aim of my government is to set up an industrial park at Dhamra. It will bring more investments to the state.
We knew that Father was loved in Orissa. But the ocean of emotion that greeted us on his death was an eye-opener.
I may be inexperienced, but at least I come with a clean heart and a clean slate.
My party will not be with any BJP or Congress-led government.
I come from a secular background.
I don't have time to think about my pre-politics days. I am so very busy.
The sari's radiance, vigor and variety, produced by a single straight length of cloth, should give us in the West pause and make us think twice about the zipper, the dart and the shoulder pad.Collection: Thinking