CM refusing Modi help upsets BJP

BHUBANESWAR: The state BJP on Monday accused chief minister Naveen Patnaik of rejecting his Gujarat counterpart's offer of help for cyclone and flood victims.
"A day after cyclone made its landfall, Modi called up Naveen and asked if the Gujarat government can be of any help to Odisha. Naveen said the situation doesn't warrant any outside help," Samal told reporters here.On why Naveen declined , Samal said, "It is for Naveen to answer. I came to know about the development a few days later."
Samal, a former revenue and disaster management minister, said after getting appreciation from United Nations (UN), Naveen probably wanted to send a signal that all is well. But the government was not able to handle the situation. While relief reached a very few people, thousands continue to suffer.
Samal was talking to the media to announce BJP president Rajnath Singh's proposed two-day visit to Odisha from November 1. The BJP chief will go to Gopalpur and Balasore, Samal said.
He said BJP will stage protest outside block headquarters on November 4 and 5, demanding proper assessment of damages and compensation to the people affected by the twin calamities. BJP will press for waiving farm loans and speedy payment of crop insurance, he added.
Samal said as a political party BJP had undertaken large-scale relief work in Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts, among other places.
BJD rubbished Samal's allegation. "It is a false allegation that the government denied any offer of help. Why should the chief minister turn it down during this hour of crisis? It is not a time to indulge in politics but to rebuild the shattered homes," said BJD youth wing president and MLA Sanjay Dasburma.
Dasburma said Tripura government donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Their chief secretary had come to Odisha and met the CM. While the government openly accepted it why would it say no to Gujarat? So many individuals and corporates have come forward to help, he added.