Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD on Wednesday said AICC Orissa in-charge Jagdish Tytler lacked the status to have a debate with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the alleged central negligence towards the state.

"Tytler lacks status to enter into a debate with the three-time chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The Congress leaders needs a lot of time to reach at Patnaik`s level," agriculture minister Pradip Maharathy told reporters a day after Tytler asked Patnaik to have an open debate with him.

Rejecting Tytler`s proposal, Maharathy claimed that the chief minister had been discussing with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and vice-chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia on regular basis about the issue of alleged negligence towards the state.

The war of words between the ruling BJD and the main opposition Congress gathered heat yesterday when Tytler asked seven fresh questions to Patnaik and dubbed the state government headed by him as "dishonest".

"I describe the BJD government as `Beiman` (dishonest) as it has betrayed the people in Orissa," Tytler alleged.

"If they do not like the word `Beiman`, let them suggest a better word to describe a government that betrayed the people," Tytler told reporters adding he would help Patnaik to have a chat with the Prime Minister on the issue, if the chief minister was unable to do so.

The BJD, on the other hand shot back with six other questions to Tytler and strongly objected to the Congress leader`s statement.

"How can the state government headed by Patnaik become `Beiman`. The people have voted him to power thrice in a row rejecting Congress," the agriculture minister said accusing the AICC leader of hurting sentiments of the people of Orissa.

"We demand apology from Tytler who used such bad words. Otherwise, the party supporters may put a ban on the visit of Congress leaders to the state," Maharathy said.

Meanwhile, newly selected PCC president Niranjan Patnaik today said he would reconstitute the PCC within 10 days in order to effectively take on the BJD government.

"Rampant corruption during BJD rule will help Congress to oust Naveen government," the PCC chief said adding he would consult all sections of the party.

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