Narendra Modi in Odisha: Naveen Patnaik to skip event in Bolangir where PM will launch infrastructure projects

Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik will not attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official programme during his one-day tour to the state Tuesday as he would be busy in state government programmes, official sources said. The prime minister, during his visit to Bolangir in Western Odisha, is scheduled to launch several projects on infrastructure development, connectivity and ease of doing business. Modi will also dedicate Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jharsuguda and new railway line to be inaugurated between Balangir and Bichupali. After attending the official programme, Modi is expected to address a public rally at Patharachepa ground in Bolangir at 11.45 am. [caption id=“attachment_1480973” align=“alignleft” width=“379”] File image of Naveen Patnaik and Narendra Modi. AFP[/caption] However, Patnaik will not be able to attend such function as he will remain busy at the state government’s “Krushi Odisha” programme. Patnaik will address farmers at the meeting. Both the prime minister and the chief minister are scheduled to attend programmes in different areas of the state at 11 am. However, sources in the chief minister’s office said, one minister may be deputed to attend the prime minister’s official programme. Last time, when Modi visited Baripada in North Odisha on 5 January, Patnaik was not present there as he was attending an official programme at Puri. Odisha’a Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick represented the state at the function. However, the chief minister had attended the official function of Modi when he came to Khurda near Bhubaneswar on 24 December. Ahead of the general elections, both leaders have been attacking each other’s government, though Modi did not take the name of ruling BJD or Patnaik in his speeches at those programmes. Modi, however, on his public meetings at Jharsuguda and Talcher on 22 September, 2018, had criticised Patnaik and his government. The Opposition Congress has alleged that Modi has been maintaining soft attitude towards Patnaik and his party particularly because of the BJP’s defeat in three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattishgarh. Sources in the ruling BJD said Patnaik prefers not to be seen with the prime minister at this juncture as the regional outfit has been maintaining equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress.