As Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik skipped the Niti Aayog meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, the State’s Opposition parties BJP and Congress criticised Patnaik for his decision.
BJP leader and Union Minister Jual Oram questioned what the Chief Minister is trying to express by boycotting Niti Aayog, Ayushmaan Bharat and special package for Akankhya districts.
“Not attending the Niti Aayog meeting is unconstitutional, but since he has conveyed it in writing, it may be pardoned to some extent. He has taken oath as a Chief Minister but is gradually forgetting his constitutional responsibility and instead focusing only on his party affairs. We are all bonded by federal democracy and Niti Aayog is a right forum to discuss issues among Centre and States,” said Oram.
OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik said it is the highest forum where discussions on economic and other issues of States can be held. Naveen Patnaik not attending such a meeting in a Federal system of Government is not acceptable. If issues bothering people of Odisha are not projected in this forum, where else will he raise themIJ Will he ask the MPs tomorrow not to attend the ParliamentIJ” In reaction, BJD MP and spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb said Patnaik had in advance informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his absence.
“The Chief Minister could not attend the NITI Aayog meeting as he had prescheduled engagements. Besides, he had given in writing to the PM and Niti Aayog officials about Odisha’s stand for the meeting. Moreover, attending a NITI Aayog meeting is not a Constitutional mandate,” said Deb.