Bhubaneswar, Dec. 14 -- BJP and Congress on Sunday launched sharp attacks on Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik over his recent letter to the Chief Minister, in which he stated that he would not accept the hiked salary and allowances for MLAs.

Both parties accused Naveen Patnaik of indulging in 'political drama' instead of raising objections at the appropriate forum.

Senior BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra said Naveen Patnaik, who remained in power for 24 years and is considered a wealthy leader, could have taken such a decision while he was the Chief Minister. Mishra recalled that Biju Patnaik had once drawn a token salary of one rupee and questioned why a similar precedent was not set earlier.

"He (the former CM) ...