Bhubaneswar: On a day when the BJD led government is celebrating its third year in the fourth consecutive term rule in the state, MP Bhartruhari Mahtab preferred eulogising the Narendra Modi-government in Centre through a newspaper column. The parliamentarian, of late, has been in the eye of many storms for his writings in the editorial page.
Lauding Modi-led government in Centre, Mahtab stated that the government has proved itself honest after completion of three years. "The government had targeted 1.5 crore LPG gas connections in a year, but reached the kitchen of 225 crore families within this stipulated period. The important point is that no allegation of irregularities or misappropriation has been made anywhere. Even top officials in the government are free of any charges of corruption”, he wrote. The MP further mentioned "The Modi government has successfully increased its popularity across the nation in last three years through its welfare schemes". The BJD, has however, dubbed it as editorial freedom. "He is an MP as well as an editor. He might have written something after analysing some central schemes. So, we cannot ascertain his motives unless a discussion with him in this regard is held", BJD spokesman Pratap Deb said. It is pertinent to mention here that another MP of the same party Tathagata Satpathy made statements yesterday which didn't go well with most members in the party. But the BJD today tried to avoid commenting on the issue citing it as purely personal. "He has every right to give his personal opinion in a meeting or a public forum. It is his personal view. I do not accept it", BJD spokesperson Surya Patro said. The Dhenkanal MP had stated in his speech yesterday that the BJD lacks a political vision to take on the BJP. "We should clear our stand on BJP and it should come from the top authority. We should ensure that we will not go for any alliance with BJP neither pre nor post elections", Satpathy told the meeting. He had also raised the issue of infighting within the party. "There is no coordination among the leaders including the MPs and MLAs of BJD which is resulting in the party’s loss. “Party workers are divided into many groups during elections. MLAs lead one while MPs another", he had pointed out.