Bhubaneswar: Former Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has strongly responded to allegations made by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders, claiming that Raj Bhawan in Odisha has become a war room for Jharkhand elections. This reaction comes after BJD leaders accused the Governor’s residence of being used as an election strategy hub.
Recently, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Venkaiah Naidu visited Odisha and met the Odisha Governor. They also stayed at the Raj Bhawan.
“In response to some inaccurate comments by certain politicians as appeared in some media reports, the Office of the former Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu, would like to clarify in unequivocal terms that no political colour should be attributed to his visit to any part of the country in general, and to Bhubaneswar, Odisha recently, in particular,” read a press statement issued by Office of Former Vice-President of India.
“The former Vice President of India was in Bhubaneswar to attend the convocation of Asian School of Business Management (ASBM) as chief guest as scheduled months ahead. As per protocol the former Vice President stays at Raj Bhawan and it is customary for the Governor and other dignitaries to call on the former VP as a courtesy. We would also like to inform that no politics were discussed in any of these courtesy calls. No political motives should be ascribed to this courtesy call and dragging the Office of the former Vice President of India into a political controversy of this nature, is patently unfair. ” the statement added
*Press statement issued by Office of Hon'ble Former Vice-President of India, Sri M Venkaiah Naidu on 4th October 2024*
In response to some inaccurate comments by certain politicians as appeared in some media reports, the Office of the former Vice President of India Shri M.…
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) October 4, 2024
The BJD accused the Raj Bhavan on Thursday of being transformed into a poll war room. BJD spokespersons and Rajya Sabha MPs Sasmit Patra and Sulata Deo had claimed that the Raj Bhavan had effectively become a hub for political activities. They also had pointed out that the visits of Assam Chief Minister and BJP co-election in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with former Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu, to the Raj Bhavan have raised concerns.
The state BJP previously responded strongly to statements made by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). BJP state spokesperson Anil Biswal remarked that the BJD’s attempt to drag the Raj Bhavan in controversy demonstrated a lack of basic etiquette. He explained that when a former Vice President visits, it is standard protocol for him to stay at the Raj Bhavan, and naturally, the Chief Minister of the state would pay him a courtesy visit. Biswal said BJD is now attempting to escalate this issues unnecessarily. He advised the BJD, clearly disheartened by its recent defeat, to avoid making such statements.
