In what is perceived as part of the BJP high command's pro-Naveen Patnaik strategy, Union Minister for Highways and BJP senior leader Nitin Gadkari on Friday met Patnaik at his residence here. Gadkari's visit to the Naveen Niwas was considered politically significant as he went to Patnaik's house a few hours after sharing dais with him at the dedication ceremony of NH-316 at Pipili.
Ironically, in yet another reflection of the BJP State leadership's strong opposition to the Patnaik Government, BJP and BJD workers had a faceoff at the NH dedication function. The meeting was marred by competitive slogan shouting by party flag-waving BJP and BJD workers. As BJD workers forced their way into the barricade, BJP workers shouted slogans and the former similarly retaliated. The police had a tough time keeping the warring groups at bay.
And all this happened while Chief Minister Patnaik was giving his speech, and hardly anything was audible to the audience. Earlier, Maharathy had created a flutter by wearing a BJD flag while seated on the dais. He, however, took it off after BJP workers protested. Political one-upmanship marred what was a Government function.