Bhubaneswar: A day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced his scheduled meeting with Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, his Cabinet minister Damodar Rout expressed resentment over the meeting to discuss issues related to Paradip Refinery.
“He (Naveen) could have summoned him (Dharmendra) for discussion rather to meet him directly in Delhi. Naveen is the CM and he is just a Minister of State. There is a protocol," Rout said.
The State did not sign the MoU with Pradhan, but the Central PSU, IOCL. So, the company authorities should be summoned to the State and asked why they violated the norms of the agreement, Rout added.
On the other hand, BJP described the Rout as untrustworthy. "Either CM does not take him into confidence or Rout doesn't trust Naveen. He could have told him personally, but why in front of media? It is just a mere attempt to remain in headlines," BJP State general secretary Prithiviraj Harichandan said.
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Before leaving for Delhi, the Chief Minister announced his scheduled programme that includes a meeting with Pradhan.