Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today stated that Odisha is facing a constitutional crisis and infighting within the ruling party has come out in the open.
"The State government has deviated from the constitutional tradition and the ruling party is only passing time as they got a mandate in 2014. Definitely people will opt for a change when the right time comes." Pradhan told mediapersons.
Pradhan also opined that the Lok Sabha and the Assembly polls should be held simultaneously.
On the other hand, Odisha Panchayati Raj minister Pradeep Maharathy lambasted Pradhan and said the Union Minister's statements were his personal remark and totally incoherent.
"BJD is working to safeguard the interests of Odisha people and will continue to do so," Maharathy stated.
He added Odisha has been one of the leading states in executing developmental projects. Besides, the Chief Minister has been adjudged as the best administrator, he pointed out.
Pradhan's statements came at a juncture when BJD Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda expressed resentment over the interference of a non-Odia officer in party affairs.
Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik in his reaction to Panda's remarks had said “When they have no other issues, they attack my office. This is nothing new.”