Bhubaneswar: Under attack from the Opposition for not including ministers in his delegation, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s trip to Dubai now has several BJD leaders, including a minister.
Naveen will attend an investors’ conclave and meet the Odia diaspora in Dubai. The Dubai leg of Naveen’s foreign tour starts from June 26.
The CM’s delegation is likely to include Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Rajya Sabha member Sujit Kumar, BJD vice-president Debi Mishra, former Industries Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra and Mo College Abhiyaan head Akash Das Nayak, TNIE reported.
Industries Minister Pratap Keshari Deb and Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick have not been included in the delegation, which has raised eyebrows.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra and Principal Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma will also reach Dubai to attend the investors’ meet.
Naveen along with 5T Secretary V K Pandian and Resident Commissioner Ravi Kant will reach Dubai from Rome on June 26.
Principal Secretary in the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department V V Yadav, who is also the Principal Secretary in the Works Department and chief administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), will return to Bhubaneswar from Rome.
BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan and senior Congress MLA Suresh Kumar Routray had targeted the CM for not including ministers in his delegation.
Notably, Usha Devi was the lone political figure on Naveen’s last foreign trip in May 2012 when he toured the United Kingdom.
Also Read: Minister-Less Team Raises Eyebrows As Naveen Patnaik Set To Embark On His 2nd Foreign Trip
