Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], November 1 : The Odisha government has downgraded the security cover of the state's five-time former Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, from Z to Y category, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Amar Patnaik said on Friday.
He described the state government's decision as "extremely unfortunate."
"It is extremely unfortunate. Naveen Patnaik has been Chief Minister of Odisha for five terms and, I believe, holds the longest tenure as CM in the country. He is one of India's most respected political leaders, beloved by the people of his state. The people of Odisha see Naveen Patnaik as a father, brother, son, and their leader," he said.
"It is unfortunate that his security has been reduced. While it is within the government's prerogative to do so and there is no question of its legality, there is something called political decorum. I believe the current government has failed in this regard by taking such an action. For every instance that belittles Naveen Patnaik, the people of Odisha will remember," the BJD leader added.
He further advised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government that if it continues with this practice, the people of Odisha will never forgive them on their political journey.
Naveen Patnaik was elected Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly on June 19, after the BJD lost the Assembly polls and the BJP formed its first government in the state.
The BJP secured 78 seats in the 147-seat assembly, the BJD won 51 seats, and the Congress won 14 seats.
Assembly polls in Odisha were held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.