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

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.