Bhubaneswar, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday disclosed that he declined an invitation from former US President Donald Trump for a dinner meeting in Washington, choosing instead to visit Odisha to mark the first anniversary of the state’s BJP government.
“Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 Summit. While I was there, US President Trump called me and said, ‘Since you are in Canada, come via Washington. Let’s have dinner and talk.’ He extended the invitation with great insistence,” Modi said at a public event in Bhubaneswar.
“But I chose to come to Odisha,” he added, drawing applause from the crowd.
🛕 Puri Temple Reform & Governance Focus
Praising the BJP government in Odisha, the PM noted major symbolic moves such as the reopening of all four gates of the Puri Jagannath Temple and its sacred Ratna Bhandar (treasury), fulfilling long-standing public demands.
“The completion of one year of the BJP government here is not just a political milestone, but a celebration of public service and trust,” Modi stated.
🧑🌾 Tribal Welfare and Red Corridor Development
Criticising previous governments, Modi accused the Congress of ignoring the tribal community for decades, using them only as a “vote bank.”
“Over 125 tribal-dominated districts were affected by Maoist violence for years. These areas were labelled the ‘Red Corridor’ and left deliberately underdeveloped,” Modi said.
He claimed that the BJP has actively worked to change that narrative through developmental outreach, better infrastructure, and governance.
🏛️ Governance Over Neglect
Modi also alleged that Odisha under previous governments suffered from widespread corruption and underdevelopment, especially in infrastructure and basic public services.
“Today, the BJP government has focused entirely on people’s welfare. One year of good governance has replaced decades of neglect,” he concluded.
This address marks Modi’s strong push to reframe political narratives in Odisha, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tribal welfare, temple reforms, and transparent governance.