Governor Raghubar Das rushes to CM Naveen Patnaik residence to convey Diwali wishes

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s newly appointed Governor Raghubar Das has courted controversy by rushing down to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence from Raj Bhawan to extend his Diwali wishes.

The Congress dubbed the Governor’s action as violation of protocol and urged the latter to explain why he broke the protocol under which circumstances he drove down to CM’s residence.

Congress leader and former state finance minister Panchanan Kanungo sounded a bit harsh as he said the Governor had “compromised” with the dignity and honour of his position by going to Naveen Niwas, the CM’s residence.

“There is no reaction from the Raj Bhawan till now as to why Governor Raghubar Das went to Naveen Niwas. He must clear the air why he paid his visit to Naveen Niwas. A governor can visit the CM’s place in exceptional cases like when he or she is ill or unable to move. In normal circumstances, the CM visits Raj Bhawan for a courtesy call or to extend his wishes to the Governor,” said Kanungo.

He urged the governor to clear the air on his controversial visit.

“After being appointed as the governor of the state, Raghubar Das visited Delhi. Did he get any message from Delhi to convey Naveen Patnaik? Or, is the CM ill for which he went to meet him?” asked the ex-minister.

Senior BJD leader and state higher education minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said there was nothing wrong in a governor meeting a CM at the latter's residence.

“If a governor meets a CM, what is wrong in it? There is absolutely no protocol violation in the present case,” said Nayak.

BJP state president Manmohan Samal castigated the Congress for questioning the governor’s visit to Naveen Niwas.

“It is the tendency of the Congress to find fault in everything and criticize. We cannot help them amend their behaviour. The governor’s meeting with the CM was purely a courtesy call,” said Samal.

While no official communique was received from the Raj Bhavan on the allegations, the Governor earlier tweeted on X: “A formal meeting was held today with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik at the Chief Minister's residence. I wish him a happy Diwali, a healthy and long life. During this time, a detailed positive discussion was held with him on various issues.”