Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday termed his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik as a ‘king’ and ‘not a people’s sevak’ while questioning his seriousness for development of tribal communities.
“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik claims to have done a lot of developmental works for tribal people. What is heard and told about the honourable Chief Minister doesn’t agree with reality. As a Government, we have to work as people’s servant not as a king. Naveen Patnaik is working here as a king. Hence, it is not felt a Government is working in Odisha,” Das told mediapersons attending the concluding day of the BJP ST national executive meet held here,
He highlighted various schemes being undertaken in his State for the development of ST communities.
Reacting Das’ statement, BJD spokesperson Amar Prasad Satpathy said, “Development is going on in Odisha under leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik now. Dalits and Adivasis have been involved in the process. Such an irresponsible statement (of Das) is not acceptable.”
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the State Government doesn’t want that he hold meetings in State. “If I hold meetings and meet people directly, the State Government’s failures will come out. Hence, they don’t want I come here and meet people,” Oram said.
Former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang, who joined BJP recently in New Delhi, too joined the party meet today. He was welcomed by BJP senior leaders to the meeting.