By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 4, 2018: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Amit Shah on Wednesday called upon his party workers to reach out to people and highlight failures of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha.

Addressing the ‘Mahasamavesh’ in Bhawanipatna, Shah lambasted the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government over lack of development in Odisha despite 17 years of its governance. “The State needs a ruler who can understand the Odia people and the saffron party will bring the change Odisha needs,” he said.

Later, Shah in a close-door meeting urged the party leaders to ensure that BJP is strengthened at the grassroots before the state goes to polls in 2019. The meeting was also attended by party legislators, Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan.

On the second day of his visit in the State, Shah will address a youth rally at Koshal Kala Mandal ground in Bolangir on Thursday. He is also scheduled to attend a rally at Santala village in Benabandha of the district.