BHUBANESWAR: A war of words between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP in Odisha over inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate a new medical college and hospital in Puri has taken centrestage with allegations of taking credit flying thick and fast.
While the BJP wants the state government to invite PM Modi for the inaugural ceremony of the Sri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital, saying the Centre had paid 60 % of the construction cost, the BJD said it has no plans to invite any central minister.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the medical college and hospital on Monday in Puri, set up under a centrally-sponsored scheme with 60:40 fund sharing between the Centre and the state government.
BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra took potshots at the government saying the chief minister should have made a courtesy call to PM Modi to inaugurate the medical college in Puri. “This would have added to the mantra of sabka saath, sabka vishwas, sabka vikas and sabka prayas,” Sambit Patra said in a video message.
“Unfortunately, the state government has not informed anything to the health ministry regarding the inauguration,” added Patra.
Patra’s tirade against the state government assumes significance as it came barely a week after MPs from Odisha met Modi over breakfast to discuss various issues related to implementation of central schemes and organisational matters in Odisha.
