Bhubaneswar: A day after Odisha Governor Raghubar Das met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the latter's residence 'Naveen Niwas', the Congress today criticized the incident terming it as violation of protocol by the Governor.

Speaking to reporters, Congress leader Panchanan Kanungo said, "After meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi, the Governor returned to Odisha and went to the Chief Minister's residence. A Governor should never pay visit to a Chief Minister as it is against the protocol, unless the Chief Minister's health condition is poor."

"The Governor has broken the protocol in this case. The Governor's Secretariat should issue a clarification in this regard," added Kanungo.

However, the official 'X' handle of the Odisha Governor described the visit as a 'courtesy' one.

"Hon'ble Governor paid a courtesy visit to Hon'ble Chief Minister at Naveen Niwas. He discussed about development of Odisha in details and wished hon'ble CM good health and active life in service of the state," the handle posted with photos of the visit.