By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: The Manmohan Samal led Odisha BJP on Saturday received yet another jolt after Union Home Minister Amit Shah heaved praise and admiration on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his Government’s development work and as well as his political acumen by becoming one of India’s longest serving Chief Minister. Union Home Minister Shah was here to dedicate and lay foundation stone for several NH and Road projects.
The Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik’s ‘Cooperative Federalism Bonhomie’ with Amit Shah left State BJP in quandary, which wishes to fight BJD in 2024 in a more vigorous manner. When Union Home Minister Shah was praising Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was present on the occasion, lost his temper, cool and smile. The Odisha BJP Chief Samal has just formed his new team and planning to pose a major threat to Naveen Patnaik in 2024 but Amit Shah’s clear and laud message , has embarrassed ranks and files of the Saffron Party in the State.
The way Union Home Minister Amit Shah behave with Chief Minister Patnaik, at the function in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, has sent a clear indication for the Odisha State BJP, that Saffron Party’s Central leadership was not in a mood to displease the BJD Boss.
CM Patnaik said: “Odisha always believes in Cooperative Federalism. I thank the Govt of India for its support to the State for its development agenda”
Home Minister in his speech , thanked Odisha Government and CM Patnaik for the steps taken to fight the Naxals and in showing the way in disaster management with focus on zero casualty
Union HM also referred to Naveen Patnaik’s record as the longest serving CM of the State and described him as the popular CM of the State
CM in his speech spoke about Gurupriya bridge, Biju Expressway & Greenfield airports being built by the State Govt
“The new Odisha is unique, transformation story, setting benchmark across various sectors. Odisha Government is believes that connectivity is key to progress of the State and empowerment of the people,’ CM Patnaik said.
He highlighted Gurupriya Bridge, connecting the Swabhiman anchal in Malkangiri, Biju Express Way, connecting Western Odisha with the Southern Odisha.
Patnaik also said, in recent years, Odisha Government completed 2 Airports – one each in Utkela and Jeypore while Greenfield Airport in Malkangiri is under construction.
Both the Home Minister & Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted how the Narendra Modi Govt since 2014 has helped the state in a big way in comparison to the UPA Government from 2004-2014
Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik flanked by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shah dedicated 4-Laning of Kamakhyanagar-Duburi Section of NH-53 on EPC to the Nation here at a function held in Bhubaneswar. Rs 761 Crore spent for the projects.
Both Patnaik and Shah also laid foundation stone for widening and strengthening of Moter to Banner via Ladugaon Road of Kalahandi district. Rs 34 Crore will be spent for 15 KM
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Works , Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick, Chief Secretary PK Jena, 5T Secretary VK Pandian and others graced the occasion.
