Maharathy's reply raises questions on CM's campaigning expenses?

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will spend the night in Bijepur during his two-day campaigning tour for the upcoming Bijepur by-election to prevent unnecessary burden on the state exchequer, said BJD leader and Panchayati Raj Minister Pradeep Maharathy today.

"To and fro journey will put extra burden on the state exchequer as the place is far away from Bhubaneswar. So Chief Minister will stay there and campaign for the party," said Maharathy.

Such a statement of Maharathy sparked off a controversy raising questions whether the tour expenses of the Chief Minister are being borne by the BJD or is spent from the state exchequer.

However, BJD MP and spokesperson Pratap Deb clarified that Maharathy wrongly mentioned about state exchequer and the expenses are being borne by the party.

"The expenses are being borne by the party. The Chief Minister is a star campaigner and all the expenses are provided from party funds as per the rules of the Election Commission of India. He has wrongly mentioned about the state exchequer," said Deb.