BJP asks Naveen to use seat belt while travelling

BHUBANESWAR: Opposition BJP today took a swipe at Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and asked him to wear a seat belt while travelling in his official vehicle.

The suggestion was made by senior BJP lawmaker and party's state unit President K V Singhdeo while participating in a debate on the supplementary demand for the departments of home and general administration.

"It is often seen and also pointed out in video footage that the Chief Minister is not using seat belt while travelling," Singhdeo said, suggesting Patnaik should first himself wear a seat belt before imposing penalty on those flouting rules.

"As Patnaik is heading the home department, it is his responsibility to obey traffic rules and use a seat belt. Collecting penalty from people while the Chief Minister himself is violating the rules, is not justice," he said.

He also asked Patnaik about the steps Home Ministry has taken to disengage the pot-bellied police personnel.

Patnaik, who replied to the debate immediately after Singhdeo's speech, however, remained silent on the issues raised by the BJP leader.