BJD, BJP intensifies war of words over PM Modi’s meeting venue opposite Naveen Patnaik’s residence

A war of words has broken out between the Opposition BJD and the ruling BJP over the latter choosing a place opposite party chief Naveen Patnaik’s residence for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting. 

On Friday, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the meeting place directly after landing at the Bhubaneswar airport. While addressing the gathering, he without naming BJD or its chief launched a veiled attack on Naveen Patnaik saying the previous Chief Minister was not going to people and the central schemes were being hijacked. 

Meanwhile, the choice of meeting location has raised questions as to whether this was meant to energise party workers or to challenge Naveen Patnaik's popularity?

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The BJD responded by claiming the Prime Minister’s meeting was not intended to undermine anything. But, Modi's comments on the renaming of government schemes over the last six months were targeted not at BJD but at BJP as it has changed the names and colours of as many as 22 yojanas in the last six months. 

“Once Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told that if the organizational structure is to be learnt, learn it from Odisha and its Naveen Patnaik government. Like the BJP government in Odisha is changing colours, the Prime Minister is perhaps also changing his opinions,” said Prasanna Acharya, deputy leader of the Opposition.

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“He is the Prime Minister of India. His party chose a place for his meeting that they thought suitable. I don’t think it could be intentional. Go and ask the rural people about the difference between Naveen Patnaik’s leadership and other’s leadership,” he said.

Responding to Acharya’s statements, the BJP argued that while Naveen Niwas belongs to Naveen Babu, the public road outside is not his private property, thus making it a legitimate site for the meeting. 

“You were not allowing any meetings there. Naveen Babu must have heard Prime Minister Modi’s speech from his residence. BJP can never forget the way he treated Chandan Mitra on March 8, 2009, when the BJP-BJD coalition broke down. Yesterday, Modi said Naveen Babu was nothing in front of BJP,” said BJP MLA Saroj Padhi. 

If the political analysts are to be believed, the BJP chose the place in front of Naveen Niwas for the Prime Minister’s meeting venue to invigorate its own activists and break up BJD's organisation at the grassroots level.

“No meeting had ever been held at the place where Narendra Modi’s meeting was held yesterday. There is still Naveen Patnaik’s popularity and the party’s organisation at the grassroots level is still strong. Holding a meeting in front of Naveen Niwas, he sent out a message. But, everything hinges on one thing how quickly Mohan Majhi-led BJP government in Odisha will be able to gain popularity,” said Rabi Das, political analyst.