A host of Ministers and BJD MPs, MlAs and senior leaders shared the dais with party supremo Naveen Patnaik at the Chasi Samavesh.
But most interestingly, Minister Pradeep Maharathy, who holds the portfolio of Agriculture, was refrained from attending the “farmers’ rally”, as was speculated earlier.
Also debarred from joining the rally were Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout and Revenue Minister Bijayshree Routray though their departments are relevant for development of agriculture and welfare of farmers.
The trio was in news recently for their remarks on farmers’ suicide which were understandably liked by the Chief Minister.
The Ministers, who were present at the rally included Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma, Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das, Finance Minister Pradeep Amat, School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Urban Development Minister Puspendra Singh Deo and Textiles Minister Snehangini Chhuria.
The other party leaders sharing the dais with the CM included MPs AU Singh Deo, Kalikesh Singh Deo and Nagendra Pradhan, MlA Rohit Pujari and former Ministers Prasanna Acharya and Surjya Narayan Patro.