Even though the State BJP claimed that Odisha would soon emerge as the number one State with the support of the Narendra Modi Government, the conspicuous absence of three senior leaders, Bijay Mohapatra, KV Singh Deo and MlA Dilip Ray on the first day of the two-day State executive meeting here on Saturday showed that all is not well in the party. Notably, Ray had also not attended the party’s Vikash Utsav held in his constituency Rourkela a fortnight ego.
Regarding Ray’s absence at the Sundargarh meeting, Union Tribal Affairs Minister said, “I spoke to him over phone. He is in Gangtok for his business. He has no reservations for this meeting.” The meeting was attended by Oram, party’s Odisha-in-charge Arun Singh, State president Basanta Panda and host of other leaders. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would attend the meeting on Sunday.
After the first day meeting party’s State general secretary Bhrugu Buxipatra told a press conference that the leaders were all happy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s all-time highest support extended to Odisha.
“We are confident that Odish will become a number one State with the support of the Modi Government at the Centre. It is a record that Modi has visited Odisha four times and his Government has sanctioned funds for NH, medical, education, petroleum and a host of other sectors,” claimed Buxipatra. He alleged that the Naveen Patnaik Government has lost confidence in his Ministerial colleagues as they have been indulged in scams and corruptions and is now depending on district Collectors.