BHUBANESWAR, Jan. 23 -- Millions of Odias were elated to see Air India kick off its direct flight services between Bhubaneswar and Surat on January 20. Barely three days elapsed and then surfaced a tug of war between the BJP and BJD over whose impetus drove AI to commence its operations.
It was Odisha Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro who sparked off a controversy when during the 2nd Odisha Mahotsav celebrations in Surat, said the BJP is trying to take the credit of the venture which was actually initiated by CM Naveen Patnaik.
"The last time CM Naveen Patnaik was here in Surat, he had assured the Prabasi Odias of direct flight services between Bhubaneswar and Surat and he had also written to the Centre in this regard. Whatever BJP claiming is...