Naveen’s Puri Visit, A Political Stunt Ahead of Odisha Bypolls: Suresh Routray

Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader Suresh Routray on Sunday questioned the timing of  Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Puri visit and termed it as a political stunt ahead of by-elections to Tirtol and Balasore Sadar.

“The Chief Minister has been in seclusion following to outbreak of COVID-19. His overdependence on bureaucrats in the last seven to eight months has seriously hampered the development work in the state. The sudden Puri visit reaks of political opportunism” alleged Sura.

He further said that people of Odisha are aware of the real intentions behind this visit.

The Puri visit was Naveen’s first trip outside Bhubaneswar ever since curbs were imposed in March to contain the COVID-19 spread.

He walked around the outer periphery of Jagannath Temple and reviewed various aspects of ABADHA (Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture), the umbrella scheme that aims at transforming Puri into a world-class heritage city.

The CM also directed the officials concerned to complete the land acquisition process by January 1 and start work on the corridor.

The Congress leader further alleged that no development had taken place in Tirtol and Balasore in the last 15 days. “The constituencies saw development only during the tenure of Congress. This will be the poll plank of the party in the bypoll,” he added.

These two seats will go to polls on November 3 and counting of the votes will take place on November 10.