Bhubaneswar, Sept.3: Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy today accused the BJP of turning official functions into party events. He also posed a question on the presence of BJP state president Basant Panda in an official review meeting of Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh.

Singh, during his visit to Odisha yesterday, had held a review meeting on the development of coconut in the state, in which Panda took part. Later, the minister felicitated Panda.

Raising this issue today, Maharathy said: "The BJP central ministers are trying to intervene in the affairs of the state. They are scared of Naveen Patnaik's popularity. Whatever attempts they make, the BJP leaders will not be able to dent the image of Naveen Patnaik." However, state BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said: "The minister has actually taken offence to the statement made by Singh that Odisha was unable to spend the central assistance."

Yesterday, Singh had said the state government had failed to submit the utilisation certificate for central aids. "Under the National Horticulture Mission, Odisha government has been unable to spend Rs 4.15 crore out of Rs 54.45 crore given by the Centre. Our farmers will not make progress if the states do not spend the grants."

Reacting to Singh's allegation, Maharathy today said: "As the state received the funds towards the later part of the financial year, the entire amount could not be utilised."