Odisha CM reacts over Baijayant’s dig at CMO officials. Here’s what he said

Bhubaneswar: A day after Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Baijayant Panda took a dig at officials posted in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), CM and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik today said his office is attacked by others when they have no other issues.

“When they have no other issues, they attack my office. This is nothing new,” Patnaik said speaking to reporters here.

On being asked about seeking explanation from MP Panda over his statement, the conch party chief said, “Whatever is appropriate will be done and I’m busy with development works for the state and people are well aware of what’s going on.”

In response to Patnaik’s statements, Panda tweeted, “I’m v.disheartened. Did Biju Babu also have”no other issues” when he demanded action agnst corrupt babus? If no issue, why 5 police platoons in Mahanga? Was it I who created disturbance in Mahanga? Was i not just doing my job peacefully? I still plead for my leader to examine”

Notably, after inaugurating a public project at Buhalo under Nischintakoili block of Cuttack district yesterday, Panda had said, “There is no need to respect officers who forget their service code, and start doing politics and interfere in party affairs and support those who indulge in anti-people activities.”

Reacting sharply to Baijayant Panda’s comments, BJD Spokesperson Pratap Deb said: “In the last three years, it is being stated that officers are doing politics and getting involved in politics. Whose utterance is it and is being reiterated? He is none other than the hon’ble Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Our hon’ble Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda has also echoed the same.”

He said both have similar views on the matter since general elections are slated for next year and “many fence sitters will be switching sides”.