Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Soumya Ranjan Patnaik on Sunday virtually added fuel to the row triggered by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi’s allegation of a bureaucrat hijacking entire governance in Odisha.
Referring to the questions raised by Bhubaneswar MP about bureaucrats getting enormous power in the state, Soumya Ranjan took an indirect swipe at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue.
Hitting out at the BJD government over a Secretary level officer making whirlwind tours of the state and attending meetings, Aparajita had recently claimed that elected representatives including Ministers were reduced silent spectators. She has also sought a clarification from the Chief Minister on the issue.
Days after the allegation made by the firebrand BJP leader, Soumya Ranjan wrote an editorial column in his Odia daily newspaper in which he appeared to have made an oblique attack on the Chief Minister.
Noting that BJD has been ruling Odisha for the last 25 years, the party MLA from Khandapada said the Chief Minister should reciprocate the love showered upon him by the people of the state. The Chief Minister should clarify on the allegations made against the administration, said Soumya Ranjan.
Responding to Soumya Patnaik’s editorial, Aparajita said she admired him for his courage and self respect. Others should also display same sense of dignity, she said.
“Editorial in popular daily ‘Sambad ‘by Respected Sri @SoumyaSambad Hon’ble MLA, BJD – today. Admire him for his COURAGE and sense of SELF- RESPECT. I wish everyone,without fear, could display the same sense of DIGNITY and the ability to say ‘no’ to what is WRONG/ UNETHICAL,” the firebrand BJP leader tweeted.
Soumya Ranjan, however, further said that if the Chief Minister gives a Secretary certain responsibilities to carry out, the officer concerned has no fault. “Is Aparajita, who has left her administrative job to join politics, jealous of another secretary who has been given such a huge responsibility?” he asked.
Pointing out that the highest control of All India Administrative service is with the Prime Minister, the BJD leader said Aparajita should raise the matter with the PM.
Responding to the views expressed by Soumya Ranjan in his editorial, BJD spokesperson Anubhav Patnaik claimed that the Khandapada MLA seems to be interested in returning to BJP.
Accusing Soumya of indulging party hopping quite often for his selfish motive, Patnaik said whenever there is any impediment to his own interest and aspirations, he makes such remarks. Soumya Ranjan has been in many political parties including Congress, BJP, NCP and now he is in BJD, he said, claiming that the party legislator apparently appears to beeyeing for a Ministerial berth as there is a vacancy in the ministry at present.
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