BJD, BJP intensify war of words over Raj Bhawan 

The ongoing war of words between the Opposition BJD and ruling BJP over the Raj Bhawan intensified further with the former alleging the Raj Bhawan has been transformed into a political hub and the latter saying BJD is making a mountain out of a molehill. 

Taking a swipe at the BJP, BJD leader Nrusingha Sahu said, “There is no denying that the Raj Bhawan has all along been a political hub. It was evident from the Governor receiving grievances from people.”

Joining his colleague in sharpening his attack on BJP, MLA Sarada Nayak said, “In connection with the case wherein the Governor’s son misbehaved with a government officer, a message was issued informing that the Collector will investigate into the matter. But, no report has come as yet. This incident tarnished the image of the Raj Bhawan.”

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Responding to the BJD leaders’ attacks, BJP leader and Balasore MLA Manas Dutta said, “BJD is expert at making issues out of nonissues. I would like to remind them how officers were working for them and how protocols were breached on several occasions.”

Meanwhile, the office of the former Vice President of India responded to the comments that appeared in some media reports regarding his visit to Raj Bhawan. 

Taking to the former Vice President’s X handle, the office of the former Vice President of India said, “…no political colour should be attributed to his visit to any part of the country in general, and to Bhubaneswar, Odisha recently, in particular.”

“The former Vice President of India was in Bhubaneswar to attend the convocation of the Asian School of Business Management (ASBM) as chief guest as scheduled months ahead. As per protocol, the former Vice President stays at Raj Bhawan and it is customary for the Governor and other dignitaries to call on the former VP as a courtesy. We would also like to inform that no politics were discussed in any of these courtesy calls,” read the post. 

“No political motives should be ascribed to this courtesy call and dragging the Office of the former Vice President of India into a political controversy of this nature, is patently unfair,” it added.