Bhubaneswar: Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan has sought an appointment with chief minister Naveen Patnaik to discuss issues concerning the development of the state. However, the BJD has asked the BJP leader not to indulge in political gimmicks.
In a two-page letter to Naveen, the Union minister has alleged that chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhee was not allowed to meet him.
"I wanted to talk to Padhee on issues on how to bring investment from overseas to the upcoming Make In Odisha Conclave. I also urged him to meet me. With a lot of grief, I want to inform you that even though he wanted to meet me, he had been denied the permission. He had also expressed his helplessness on the issue of not being able to meet me," he said.
He said despite being humiliated, he gave much priority to Odisha's development. Pradhan said he wanted to call on the chief minister to discuss issues pertaining to state's development.
"Though you did not allow the chief secretary to meet me, I should be given a chance to meet you at your office. During the meeting, I will apprise you of my efforts to bring in participation of overseas investors to the Make in Odisha Conclave to be held this year," he said.
The last time the two had met was in August last year in New Delhi to resolve the tax dispute between the state government and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) over the Paradip refinery.
He complained that though he wrote letters on various issues, the chief minister's office (CMO) does not respond.
He said how his officials tagged him as a peon and called him a Bihari.
"I am ready to face all such insults without any hesitation. But let not the anger on me deprive the state of its due benefits," he said.
Reacting to Pradhan's letter, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said: "Writing for seeking an appointment with the chief minister at the fag end of the government's tenure on development agendasmacks of political gimmickry."
Reacting to the issue, state Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik said: "They are indulging in cheap politics to get votes."
