Cong ridicules Patnaik for his absence during major issue

Opposition Congress on Thursday took potshots at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for remaining absent in the Assembly during a discussion relating to his home portfolio, referring to his direction to the BJD MLAs to ensure full attendance in the House.

Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra made the comment while resenting reply to a debate on the home department by its minister of state D S Mishra in place of Patnail, who holds the charge of the home department.

"If a teacher preaches students to speak truth and himself utters lies all along, what will be the fate of the state?" Mishra remarked while referring to Patnaik's instruction to the party MLAs to ensure full attendance in the house and sincerely taking part in the business of the assembly.

"It is unfortunate that the chief minister is absent when the house is discussing on the most sensitive issue relating to his department," the congress legislature party leader said.

Patnaik was present in the house during the Question Hour which was adjourned till 12 noon in view of the pandemonium by the opposition members over the mysterious death of a woman Panchayat Extension Officer in the state.

The Congress leader said "If the chief minister himself is not serious about the businesses in the assembly, how can he expect his party members actively participate in it?