Dharmendra Pradhan lauds Naveen Patnaik for Centre, state coordination

TNN | Updated: May 5, 2020, 14:17 IST

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik and petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan seem to have established a smooth working relation during the pandemic. During a Facebook live on Monday, Pradhan praised Naveen’s handling of the Covid-19 situation.
“Yesterday (Sunday), I was talking to people of Odisha-origin living in six Gulf countries through videoconference. They are bowing before the preparations done by our state and our country. All are praising the steps taken by India and Odisha in this difficult time. Our commander-in-chief is our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Odisha, Naveen babu is taking the leadership,” Pradhan said.
“In our state Odisha, there is 100% coordination between the state government and the Centre in containing the spread of the virus. That apart, I am thankful to the 4.5 crore people of Odisha for their cooperation,” the Union minister added.
“Compared to other states, Odisha is self-confident. This has been possible because of the cooperation of the Centre, the state government and the people here,” he added.
Pradhan has been part of Naveen’s videoconferences with the chief ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu over the past one week. “Many people are suggesting and debating whether Odisha natives stranded in other states should be brought back. They are our people. Odisha’s economy prospered because of their money orders,” the Union minister said.
“The process of their return has been largely smooth except a few exceptions. We must have a positive approach. We must not blame the government system. We all must extend a helping hand,” he said, adding, “A very good system is in place. We all must have patience and obey government instructions.”
Naveen’s bonhomie with the Centre is in marked contrast to the situation in neighbouring West Bengal, where the Mamata Banerjee-led government has been on a collision course with the Modi government.
The rapport between the two dispensations has developed in spite of the fact that BJP is the principal opposition party in Odisha and Pradhan is its most prominent face in the state. After the bitterly fought elections of last year, BJD has supported most initiatives of the Modi government, including the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act.