Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed on Friday that he turned down a dinner invitation from US President Donald Trump in Washington to prioritize a visit to Odisha.
Speaking at a public rally in Bhubaneswar, PM Modi shared, “Two days ago, I was at the G7 Summit in Canada. President Trump called me and said, ‘Since you’re in Canada, stop by Washington. Let’s have dinner and talk.’ He was very insistent.”
Modi explained his decision to decline. “I thanked President Trump for his kind invitation, but I told him it’s crucial for me to visit the land of Mahaprabhu,” he said, referring to Odisha’s sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri. “Your love for Mahaprabhu brought me here,” he told the enthusiastic crowd.
Modi Targets Congress at Odisha Rally
Marking the first anniversary of Odisha’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, Modi didn’t hold back in criticizing the Congress party. He accused them of neglecting tribal communities and exploiting their regions as the “red corridor” for political gain.
“The Congress, which ruled India for decades, kept tribal areas underdeveloped and used them for votes,” Modi charged. He highlighted that the BJP has addressed long-standing demands, including reopening the four gates of Puri’s Jagannath Temple and its 'Ratna Bhandar' treasury.
Modi further alleged that tribal-dominated regions were deliberately ignored by past regimes. “Over 125 tribal districts suffered from Maoist violence and were labeled ‘red corridor.’ These areas were branded backward, with no effort to develop them,” he said.
Modi Celebrates BJP’s Odisha Milestone
Praising the Odisha BJP government’s first year, Modi said, “Today is special. The BJP’s first government in Odisha has completed one year, marking not just governance but the dawn of good governance.”
He dedicated this milestone to “public service and trust.” Modi emphasized that the BJP has focused on serving Odisha’s people and earning their confidence.
“Previous regimes left Odisha with corruption and no infrastructure, keeping many areas backward,” Modi claimed. “The BJP government is tackling these challenges head-on.”