Jagatsinghpur, Oct. 17: Two traditional rivals - excise minister Damodar Rout and Rajya Sabha member Bishnu Das - shared the dais at a public meeting addressed by Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik here today.

The feud between Rout and Das is a known fact as they do not see eye to eye. The acrimonious battle of words has often been witnessed in the politically sensitive district with the two leaders grabbing headlines for acerbic comments against each other.

All eyes were on the two senior leaders with supporters of the leaders resorting to slogan shouting today. However, both Rout and Das refrained from taking digs at each other as they have been in the recent past.

Ahead of the panchayat polls, the chief minister highlighted the achievements of his government in various spheres. The state government is bent on improving people from weaker sections and uplifting rural infrastructure and economy, he reiterated.

In health, education, road communication sectors, the government has done a lot besides bettering the lives of those living below the poverty line under a host of schemes. Empowering the women and youths also stays on the list of the state government, Naveen told the gathering.