BJP, BJD Put Spat Behind: Mandaviya Attends Virtually As Naveen Inaugurates Medical College In Odisha’s Puri

Puri: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated the Shri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital here, with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya attending the event virtually.

Earlier, the event sparked a huge political row with the BJP criticising Naveen for not inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the medical college.

On Sunday, a day before the inauguration, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra tweeted, “I humbly believe that without getting into the ‘Credit War’ the Honourable CM Odisha should have made a courtesy call to the Honourable PM to inaugurate the Medical College in Puri.”

On Monday afternoon, ahead of the event, Patra, however, expressed happiness after the Odisha government invited Mandaviya to attend the event.

Earlier, Patra objected to the unilateral decision of the Odisha government to inaugurate the medical college developed under a Central scheme. He shared a letter the Health Ministry wrote to Odisha and states in January, highlighting the centrally sponsored scheme.

“Since these colleges are sanctioned under Central scheme, any public programme for laying foundation stone or inauguration by the State government should be in consultation with the Ministry,” the letter stated.

Responding to the allegations, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said, “Who will come and what will happen depends on availability and the state government will take the decision on it. The BJD never believes or indulges in credit politics.”