In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Naveen Patnaik has stated that as the leader of the opposition party, I do not need the increased salary and allowances decided by the state government. This money should be used for the welfare of the poor people of the state. Naveen wrote that for 25 years, I have been receiving the love, devotion and support of the people of Odisha. I am eternally indebted to the people of Odisha for the love they have shown me and my father, the late Biju Patnaik. Earlier in 2015, I dedicated our ancestral property Anand Bhawan to the people of the state. Now, with that same spirit, I am dedicating my increased salary and allowances to the poor.
Naveen’s sentiments are welcome. But where has Naveen been for so long? Why was he silent? This salary increase amendment bill was passed in the assembly with the support of all the MLAs, regardless of party affiliation. Why did Naveen not oppose it then? Now, when there is an atmosphere of protest across the state over the increase in MLAs’ salaries, isn’t Naveen trying to take mileage out of it?
