PM Modi Says He Chose Odisha Over Trump’s Dinner Invite, Slams Congress at Bhubaneswar Rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday revealed that he turned down a dinner invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump in order to visit Odisha, emphasizing his commitment to the people and cultural heritage of the state.

Addressing a large public gathering in Bhubaneswar, Modi recounted the exchange:

“Just two days ago, I was in Canada for the G7 Summit. While I was there, President Trump called and said, ‘Since you’re in Canada, come via Washington. Let’s have dinner and talk.’ He extended the invitation with great insistence,” the Prime Minister said.

However, Modi said he respectfully declined.

“I told the U.S. President, ‘Thank you for the invitation. But it is more important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu (referring to Lord Jagannath of Puri).’”

He added, “Your love and devotion to Mahaprabhu brought me here,” drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

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Sharp Attack on Congress Over Tribal Neglect

Marking the first anniversary of Odisha’s first BJP-led government, PM Modi also launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of systematically neglecting tribal communities and using their regions for political exploitation.

“The party that ruled India for decades deliberately kept tribal areas underdeveloped. They labelled these regions as the ‘red corridor’ to serve their political motives,” he said.

He claimed that over 125 tribal-dominated districts were once severely affected by Maoist insurgency, and past governments made no serious effort to integrate them into the national development narrative.

“These areas were pushed into darkness. They were declared backward, and governments of the time didn’t take responsibility for their progress,” he alleged.

Modi also credited the BJP for fulfilling longstanding demands, including the reopening of all four gates of the Jagannath Temple and the temple’s Ratna Bhandar (treasury), which had remained inaccessible for years.

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Praise for BJP’s Governance in Odisha

Celebrating one year of BJP rule in the state, Modi lauded the Odisha government for what he called a “new era of good governance.”

“This anniversary is not just of a government—it is a celebration of people’s trust and public service,” Modi said.

He asserted that the state had endured years of corruption, poor infrastructure, and neglect under previous regimes, but that the BJP was working to reverse these trends.

“The people of Odisha had long hoped for a change. Today, that change is visible. The BJP government has taken steps to ensure better governance, stronger infrastructure, and transparency in public services,” he added.

Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister urged the people to continue supporting the BJP’s development-oriented approach and expressed hope that Odisha would become a model state under its current leadership.