Maharathy’ Remarks at NH-316 Function signs of Sycophancy & Arrogance

From The Editor’s Desk: There has been a huge uproar over Odisha Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy’s sycophancy towards CM Naveen Patnaik and indecent remarks against BJP leaders, including Union Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari at the inauguration ceremony of NH-316 (Four Lane) Bhubaneswar-Puri bypass today.

Maharathy, who was invited to the function as a Minister and local MLA, mobilised the BJD cadres in huge numbers to hijack the event and turn it into a party function, whereas it was not. The Supreme Court guidelines were flouted when large hoardings and posters of Naveen Patnaik were put at the venue and even at the new toll gate, which was inaugurated today.

Anybody, who saw huge number of BJD cadres, party flags, vehicles and hoardings, was under the impression that it was Naveen Patnaik, who built the NH-316 and his dream came true today. Maharathy made the first blunder when he wore the party flag and got seated on the dais. He removed it only when BJP people protested to it.

Puri MP Pinaki Mishra and Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani did not commit that mistake. Then why Maharathy? Obviously, it was sycophancy. That was clearly evident, when he said, ” We have Naveen Patnaik on the front, on the back, on the side and everywhere else. He is the lone leader in Odisha. We won’t allow those who people to become CM even though they aspire to do so”.

Maharathy’s target was Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and some other BJP leaders. But, was it the right forum to make such boisterous comments? And, did it suit a Cabinet Minister of the state? He definitely brought disrepute to his position and stature by doing so. But, unfortunately, either the CM did not understand or supported it.

The biggest blunder of Pradeep Maharathy was his disgraceful comments against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was Odisha’s guest today. Maharathy calls himself as a follower of Jagannath culture. Does out culture permit to insult a guest? When he warned Gadkari, saying “Tumko Future me Bada Bhari Padega” or “You will pay a big price in future” for omitting my name from the Ad (or Foundation Stone), he crossed the Laxman Rekha.

The CM may not understand Odia properly. But, he must have understood what Maharathy told in Hindi. Will he condone such act? Will he take action against St the erring Minister? At least a rebuke or pep talk is the need of the hour to restore sanctity in public life. The Minister must not forget that his acts and activities will be judged by the people of this state. Arrogance never pays off. He must learn to become sensible, humble and polite. You can’t bulldoze others and don’t have a license to slam everyone. If you do, you will pay a price sooner or later.