Did Phailin cyclone also effects Centre- State relations?

The recent Phailin cyclone that left a devastating effect on Odisha seems also adversely impacts the relations between Naveen Patnaik and UPA government’s relations. Odisha has appealed the Centre to grant Rs.6000 crore as special assistance but got only Rs.1000 crore for both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states.

CM Naveen Patnaik said “This is a fine example to say that the Congress led UPA is showing indifference towards non-congress governments. It jumped at once to help its governments in Uttarakhand and Assam, but not even bothers to visit Odisha even after one month. The assistance it granted is too little to do anything and we were told to share it with Andhra Pradesh. One can understand how little is the assistance, if sees the incurred losses that is approximately Rs.21000 crore, which is equivalent to the annual budget of the state.”

He said “However, we are successful in minimizing loss of life in this Phailin Cyclone with the preventive measures taken by our government. People of the state are also aware of our hard efforts and appreciating us.”

"We are maintaining equal distance from BJP and Congress parties. People in non-congress-ruling governments strongly believe that they are being neglected by the UPA government. So, I guess that regional parties are going to play key role in 2014 general elections and in Odisha our party is going to keep the Congress party at bay. I am sure that our party is going to win good number of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections,” said CM Naveen Patnaik.