Odisha

Naveen Acted With Dignity, PM Missed Opportunity: Quraishi On Chopper Row

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has lauded Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s “dignified conduct” during an EC-conducted inspection of his chopper in Sambalpur.

At the same time, he slammed the Election Commission (EC’s) move to suspend an election observer in Odisha who had checked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter as he landed in Sambalpur early this week for an election rally.

Quraishi presented a contrast between the two leaders, saying Naveen has come out with his stature enhanced. “This is the statesmanlike conduct we need from our leaders. Salute Mr Patnaik!” the former CEC said in a Twitter post.

The checks by the flying squad of the EC on the choppers of various political party leaders this week in Sambalpur had hit headlines, as the inspection had brought forth the contrasting characters of the leaders fighting a pitched battle in the 2019 elections.

While Naveen had shown all grace in allowing inspection of the chopper and his personal belongings, BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan was reluctant and engaged in a verbal duel with the EC staff and police.

Quraishi, however, confined his observations to the Odisha chief minister, the EC and the Prime Minister.

He said the suspension of the election observer who conducted the check on the PM’s chopper was not only “unfortunate” but a “great missed opportunity” to restore not only the image of the EC but also the PM himself.

Both these institutions have been under the public scanner — the PM for repeatedly violating the model code of conduct and the EC for repeatedly overlooking it.

“This raid on the PM’s chopper should have been used to demonstrate that the law is equal for everybody. In one stroke, the intense criticism against both of them would have come crumbling down. Unfortunately, they both chose a different course. The ongoing criticism would now get magnified many times over,” he tweeted.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

System Over Bay Of Bengal To Trigger Rain In Odisha, Push Up Night Temp By 2-4°C

Bhubaneswar: Dense fog reduced visibility in Odisha's Rourkela while moderate fog engulfed Koraput, Bhawanipatna and…

November 24, 2024

IPL Auction: Rishabh Pant Sold At Record Rs 27 Cr After Shreyas Iyer Fetches Rs 26.75 Cr

Mumbai: Shreyas Iyer may be out of the Indian team currently, but the dashing right-handed…

November 24, 2024

What Did PM Narendra Modi Take From Odisha As Gift During 3-Nation Visit?

Bhubaneswar: A rare and exquisitely crafted Filigree boat made of pure silver from Odisha was…

November 24, 2024

PM Narendra Modi Tweets His Excitement Over Attending ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ Today

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ programme on…

November 24, 2024

SEBI In Dock As Bribery Case Involving Gautam Adani, His Officials Reaches Supreme Court

New Delhi: A fresh application was filed before the Supreme Court on Sunday urging the…

November 24, 2024

[Watch] Odisha CM Disburses Subhadra Assistance To Over 20 Lakh Beneficiaries In 3rd Phase

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi disbursed the first instalment of Rs 5,000 under Subhadra Yojana…

November 24, 2024

Low Pressure Over Bay Of Bengal Becomes Well Marked; Will It Intensify Into Cyclone?

Bhubaneswar: The low-pressure over east Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal…

November 24, 2024

Here’s Why Rishabh Pant Gifted Scooters To Two Factory Workers

New Delhi: Cricket fans were left gasping for breath in December 2022 when Indian wicketkeeper-batter…

November 24, 2024