BHUBANESWAR: The State BJP on Monday criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Odisha.
The Chief Minister did not show the courtesy to meet the Prime Minister during his two days of stay in the State. This is contrary to the Odia culture where a guest is treated like god, said State BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty.
Terming the action of the Chief Minister as politically motivated, Mohanty said this has hurt the sentiment of people of the State.In a federal system, there may be separate ruling political distensions at the Centre and States. However, the Prime Minister of the country enjoys special status. Rising above party politics and protocol, the Chief Minister should have shown goodwill gesture to the Prime Minister by receiving him at the airport, he said.
Prior to the visit of the Prime Minister, Naveen had told the media that he will not meet Modi during his visit to the State as the latter had come on political work.
Though Governor SC Jamir had not gone to the airport to receive the Prime Minister, he was present there to give a warm send-off to Modi.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi and Director General of Police KB Singh received the Prime Minister on behalf of the State Government.