Centre should not forget its duties towards States: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Targeting the Central government at BJD’s Padyatra in the Bhubaneswar Central constituency, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that in a federal system, the central government should not forget the role to play in the development of the States and more emphasis should be given to the poor States in the country.

Citing that the State government believes in federal spirit, the CM clarified that it should not be considered as its weakness.

Naveen also highlighted the steps taken by the State government in Polavaram and Mahanadi water issues and demanded that the people of Odisha want justice in both the cases.

While responding to CM’s comments, said Union Tribal Affairs minister Jual Oram said, “The State government should work for the people and being a ruling party it should not behave like an Opposition party.”

Also Read: My government is stable, dependable: Patnaik

Similarly, Union Petroleum minister also criticized Naveen for his Central negligence jibe stating “Centre has not ignored Odisha, but the State government lacks ability to develop Odisha. The Odisha government’s stand on Mahanadi and Polavaram issue is not clear.”

Odisha BJP spokesperson, Sajjan Sharma said, “The CM in order to hide his own incompetence is making these false statements. Naveen Patnaik himself is the biggest roadblock in Odisha’s development. Who is responsible for the Japanese Encephalitis outbreak in Malkangiri and the plight of Dana Majhi? When these questions are now being raised by the people, the CM has only one voice which is a misleading one.”