BJD has junked policy of ‘equidistance’: Congress takes a jibe at Patnaik

Patnaik invited Modi to inaugurate the Puri International Airport when it is completed in the next 3-4 years.

Updated on: May 20, 2023, 04:24:42 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Bhubaneswar: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik praised each other during the flagging off of the Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express train, the Congress in Odisha alleged that the Biju Janata Dal (BJP) had junked its policy of “equidistance”.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik (File photo)

During his speech over video conferencing, Patnaik invited Modi to inaugurate the Puri International Airport when it is completed in the next 3-4 years.

Also read: After Modi meet, Naveen Patnaik says no to joining 'third front' for 2024 poll

“Within 3-4 years, this airport will be ready and the honourable Prime Minister will come to Srikshetra to dedicate the Sri Jagannath Puri International Airport to the public. Recently I had a meeting with the honourable Prime Minister and had a detailed discussion on the proposed Sri Jagannath Puri International Airport at Puri. We will incorporate all the suggestions given by the Prime Minister for making it a world-class seaside airport,” Patnaik said.

Modi, on his part, referred to Patnaik as a “friend”.

Senior Congress leader Panchanan Kanungo said the Vande Bharat Express event showed that Patnaik’s policy of equidistance of equidistance from both the Congress and the BJP was mere lip service.

Also read: Odisha expands special development councils for tribals to 14 more districts

“Though he never believed in it, this is the first time he has gone public inferring that BJP would again win 2024 polls and Modi become PM for third time in a row. This month, he rushed to meet Modi in New Delhi soon after meeting Nitish Kumar where he clarified that BJD would not be joining the Third Front that is now shaping up. We in Congress believe both Modi and Naveen Patnaik belong to the same political culture and ideology for whom power remains the only goal. Ever since Modi became PM, Patnaik has supported the Centre starting from demonetisation, CAA, revocation of Article 370, and the Triple Talaq bill,” said Kanungo.

BJD leaders, however, said not much should be read into Patnaik’s speech as grace has always been the hallmark of CM. “Unlike other politicians, Naveen Patnaik had always believed in basic courtesy. His praise of Modi is respect for the PM. Our CM has always maintained that BJD would always do whatever serves the interest of Odisha,” said Acharya.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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