Soumya Ranjan’s meeting with Naveen raises eyebrows

Bhubaneswar: Amid fast changing political situation in Odisha, Ama Odisha Party (AOP) Chief Soumya Ranjan Patnaik called upon Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at latter’s residence on Saturday.

The meet has led to speculation among several people in the state as they see a new possible alliance between the two parties.

However, AOP chief clearly ruled out the possibility of joining the Biju Janta Dal (BJD) and maintained that the meeting has nothing to do with politics.

“I have no plans of joining BJD. Chief Minister wanted to know about the movements undertaken by us regarding anti-liquor, farmers’ right, and language and chit fund and what can be done to resolve such issues,” said Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.

He further informed to have advised Naveen Patnaik to take into confidence the leaders and persons spearheading such movements for resolving the grievances through dialogues.

The former Congress MP Soumya Ranjan Patnaik had converted his voluntary organisation, Ama Odisha into a political outfit soon after his expulsion from the grand old party in 2013.

“Politicising issues have always cost the state. It is high time that political parties rise above politics and join to resolve various issues as there is time for 2019 elections,” he added.

Congress dubbed the meeting between two leaders as a ‘pass game’. “They meet during difficulties to overcome it which Odisha has been witnessing since 1980. This is a pass game”, Congress spokesman Sarat Rout said.

Similarly, BJP termed it as an outcome of BJD’s fear after poll debacle. “After poll debacle in the rural elections, Naveen Babu started cajoling his strong political rivals. At this stage, who so ever would approach Naveen, he would definitely be a failure along with him”, BJP’s Sajjan Sharma said.

But, BJD observed no political message involved in the meeting. “Being an editor of an Odia daily and news channel, he raised some of the issues before chief minister. I don’t see any politics in it”, BJD spokesperson Pratp Deb said