Bhubaneswar: Terming BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy's statement wrong, party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today sought an explanation from him on his statement on BJD leaders.
"What he has said on party leaders is not right. He will be asked to explain his statement. Those who have quit the State Cabinet, have been given important party responsibility," Patnaik said.
The CM's reaction came after former minister and party vice-president Debi Mishra met him at the Secretariat and apprised him of the incident.
At a public gathering on Wednesday, MP Tathagat Satpathy hit out at Congress and BJP and some leaders of his own party. Besides, calling members of two national parties as ‘thieves’, the MP used the same remark for BJD leaders including former minister Debi Mishra.
After meeting CM, the Badamba-Narasinghpur MLA said he and Tathagat have never crossed each other’s boundary. But this remark comes without any context.
Earlier in the morning, before meeting Naveen, Mishra reacted to the ‘thief’ remark saying, "He is my friend. I am deeply hurt with his statements. The people of Badamba and Narasinghpur area were also deeply hurt. I don't understand his intention to insult me in public.”
BJD took the matter seriously and decided to take it to party supremo. "What circumstances led him to give such statement will be examined. Chief Minister has given important party responsibility to those who were criticised by him,” party spokesperson Sameer Dash said.
Commenting on Tathagat's remark, BJP leader Samir Mohanty targeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and said CM should clarify who the thieves are and what the ousted ministers have stolen.