The Hawk
Balasore (Odisha): The 5T chairman and the BJD leader, VK Pandian, said on Wednesday that a native son of the soil would take over the role of Chief Minister in Odisha on June 9. "I think on 9th June, 'Bhoomiputra' will take over. The one who not just speaks Odia but lives in the hearts of the people of Odisha will be the Chief Minister. On 9th June, between 11:30 am to 1 pm, the son of the soil will take over as the Chief Minister," Pandian said. The assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the BJD-ruled state are being held across four phases, from May 13 to June 1. Hitting out at the central government over the coal royalty amount, 5T Chairman and the party's leader VK Pandian said that the Centre is taking Rs 60,000 crores from Odisha and repaying only Rs 4,000-5,000 crores alleging that they are taking away all the profits. "The central leaders and CMs who are coming to Odisha repeatedly, their campaign will not have an impact because they have not done anything for Odisha. They are taking Rs 60,000 crores from Odisha and repaying only Rs 4,000-5,000 crores and are shedding crocodile tears saying that Odisha is a mineral-rich state. Coal is one of the biggest minerals from Odisha, you take Rs 27,000-30,000 crores and give Rs 4,000 crores to Odisha. Why can't you revise the coal royalty for the last 20 years?" Pandian said. "The people of Odisha can understand what the Center takes away from Odisha. Yes, we are mineral rich but where are you allowing us to get the profit out of minerals? You are giving us pollution and taking away all the profits," he added. Exuding confidence in the BJD's win in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, Pandian said that the people of Odisha will not be swayed away by the statements of central leader ...
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