By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Call it an unprecedented democratic gesture by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to Opposition BJP MLAs. The Saffron MLAs who were marched to Naveen Niwas, found themselves in surprise, after the BJD Supreme came out from his residence to talk with the Opposition Lawmakers.
The surprise appearance of Chief Minister Patnaik came after the ruling MLAs failed to pacify the anger of BJP MLAs, seeking discussion on Mandi mismanagement in the State.
Naveen Patnaik came to the protest spot to convince them. He later welcomed them to his residence for a ‘healthy’ discussion. Chief Minister coming out of his residence to meet agitators is a rare scene. This is the identity of a true statesman, said BJD MLA Debi Mishra.
A high-pitched drama unfolded on the streets of the state capital when a delegation of BJP MLAs holding placards marched towards Naveen Niwas to meet the CM and appraise him about Mandi irregularities. The agitators claimed that they are ‘searching’ for the CM, who turns up at every party function across the state but remains absent in the state Assembly.
On the other hand, BJD MLAs, including Samir Ranajn Dash and Pranab Prakash Dash ‘escorted’ the agitators towards Naveen Niwas by blowing conches.Finding the main gate of Naveen Niwas closed, the BJP MLAs sat in front of it and warned that they will not budge from the spot unless the CM himself comes out to invite them. Though all ruling party MLAs present at the spot requested them to come inside Naveen Niwas, the BJP legislators did not move. Finally, the CM turned up and convinced them to come with him inside his house.
After the discussion, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Naik said, “We would have returned, had the CM not come out to invite us. However, we had a comprehensive discussion with the CM inside his residence on various issues.” Regarding the matter of suicide attempt by BJP MLA Subash Panigrahi, Naik said, “Nothing sort of was discussed in the meeting. The CM should apologize as a legislator of his state attempted suicide over famer issues.”
