Modi ‘soft’ on Naveen

Bolangir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who spoke at length on various developmental initiatives by the Centre here Tuesday refrained from making critical remarks against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. At the same time, Naveen, who addressed a gathering of farmers in Bhubaneswar, did not utter a single word against the Centre. Like his previous speeches at Baripada and Khurda, Modi chose not to be critical of the CM. This time also Modi did not take Naveen’s name even once during his 45-minute address at Bolangir. The PM indirectly criticized the BJD government only one issue – poor utilisation of District Mineral Fund. Usually, Modi during his political programmes in the state, strongly criticizes Naveen government and the Chief Minister on his turn never forgets to harp on the Centre’s negligence. This sudden change of heart of the two leaders, who had shared power in the state for nine years (2000 to 2009) has created speculations over the emergence of a new equation that may take shape after the general elections. This mood of Modi also left many senior BJP leaders red- faced.