Bhubaneswar: Opposition Congress Friday accused Odisha Governor Raghubar Das of breaching protocol by visiting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence and meeting him without having any justified reasons.
The allegation was levelled by former minister and senior Congress leader Panchanan Kanungo here a day after the newly appointed governor met Patnaik at Naveen Niwas, the official residence of the chief minister.
“The governor has violated protocol by meeting the chief minister at his house. After meeting the prime minister in New Delhi, the governor returned to Odisha and went to the chief minister’s residence. A governor should not pay visit to a chief minister unless there is urgency like CM’s health issues,” Kanungo, who is also chairman of OPCC’s manifesto committee, told reporters here.
Seeking a reply from the Raj Bhavan, the Congress leader asked what business did the governor have at Naveen Niwas.
“Whether he went to the CM’s residence to deliver any urgent message from the prime minister or the chief minister is very sick or to give a Diwali gift? The Raj Bhavan or his secretariat need to clarify,” Kanungo said.
The Governor’s Office on its social media platform X Thursday said “Honourable Governor Shri @dasraghubar paid a courtesy visit to Honourable Chief Minister Shri @Naveen-Odisha at Naveen Niwas. He discussed about development of Odisha in detail and wished CM good health and active life in service of the state.”
ओड़िशा के मुख्यमंत्री श्री @Naveen_Odisha जी से आज मुख्यमंत्री आवास पर जाकर औपचारिक मुलाकात की। उन्हें दीपावली की शुभकामनाएं प्रेषित की और उनके स्वस्थ एवं लंबी आयु की कामना की। इस दौरान उनसे ओड़िशा के विकास के मुद्दों पर विस्तारपूर्वक सकारात्मक चर्चा हुई।
ଆଜି ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ… pic.twitter.com/rzDLXItAN8
— Raghubar Das (@dasraghubar) November 9, 2023
The Chief Minister, in his social media handle X, said, “Glad to meet the Honourable Governor of #Odisha, Shri@dasraghubar ji. Discussed on various topics concerning Odisha and look forward to working with him for the welfare of the state and its people.”
Glad to meet Hon’ble Governor of #Odisha, Shri @dasraghubar Ji. Discussed on various topics concerning Odisha and looking forward to working with him for the welfare of the state and its people. pic.twitter.com/oP0ISFACGp
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 9, 2023
Senior BJP leader and Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi said it was a courtesy call and criticized the Congress for politicizing the matter.
BJD leader and Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said there was nothing wrong with the governor meeting the chief minister and described it as a courtesy call.
UNI