Naveen Patnaik is India’s first Chief Minister to meet the Pope

By Our Special Correspondent

Naveen Patnaik is likely to become India’s first Chief Minister to meet the Pope, Head of Catholic Christians around the world.

Patnaik is set to embark on a week-long foreign tour in the last week of this month. He first stops in Dubai where he is scheduled to attend an investor’s meet. From Dubai he will proceed to Rome in Italy to meet some more potential investors.

Sources said efforts are being made to facilities the Chief Minister’s meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican City during his visit to Italy.

This is Patnaik first visit aboard in the last 10 years and second since he took over the Chief Minister of the state. It is reliably learnt that the Chief Minister’s office has received all clearances for his foreign trip.

The Union Government had last year denied permission to Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister of West Bengal to attend a World Peace Conference in Rome. The Conference was to be attended by Pope Francis among others.

Mamata’s Trinamool Congress Party had accused the Centers of Playing vindictive politics Mamata too, said: how many places will you Centre not let me visit? You can’t stop me forever.

The government while denying the permission said that the event is not commensurate in status for participation by the Chief Minister.

Sources said the Union Government cleared Patnaik’s trip without much ado as the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP may need the support of the Biju Janata Dal(BJD) in the Presidential election scheduled for next month. BJD has a sizable presence in the Presidential Electoral College.

Patnaik had to cut short his trip to London in 2012 as his trusted lieutenant Pyarimohan Mohapatra had tried to rally the support of BJD MLAs and overthrow the CM in his absence. Patnaik managed to put down to revolt. He has not left the country ever since.