‘Unwanted’ Leaders spreading lies about CMO: BJD

ONI Bureau: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) came down heavily on the critics of Naveen Patnaik, who questioned his style of functioning and hinted at involvement of 3rd Floor officials in governance.

Without taking the name of Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda and former Satyabadi MLA Rama Ranjan Baliarsingh, the BJD press release called them ‘ignored’ and ‘unwanted’ leaders who are allegedly getting intolerant of CM’s popularity.

“Naveen Patnaik has been at the helm of affairs in Odisha since 2000. He is hailed as a ‘Best Administrator’ in the country. Several State Government and Chief Ministers are following his work style. People of Odisha have also reposed their trust in him, which is reflected in every election. But, some unwanted leaders in the party have become frustrated at his popularity,” said BJD.

“Everybody knows how a government runs and how the head of the government works. Whether PM or CM, they engage their office and concerned officials to deliver good governance. Starting from 1st PM Nehru to current PM Modi, PMO has been the power centre. There is nothing new. Similarly, CMO has been the power centre in every state. Odisha is no exception. But, some opponents are spreading fabricating stories and misleading information about the CM’s office in Odisha to create confusion in public. They will never succeed,” the BJD said.

“Naveen Patnaik remains the most popular leader of Odisha. The “Tourist Union Minister” can’t change the reality. As he calls Officials at the CMO ‘Clerks’ or ‘Kirani’, will he show the same courage to use similar words against officials at the PMO,” BJD asks Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Instead of meddling in BJD’s affairs and criticising CMO, the BJP must focus on setting its own house in order,” said BJD.