Camp followers of Naveen Niwas say that the Chief Minister says that he is the “most protocol oriented leader”.

However critics say Naveen Patnaik functions in an arbitrary and autocratic manner.

On 24 July critics proved right, as the Chief Minister left his Ministerial Colleagues and he himself came here to attend National Development Council (NDC).

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is chairing the crucial meeting of the country's highest policy making body, the NDC.

While Odisha Chief Minister is attending the NDC meeting along with his blue eyed bureaucrat Bijay Kumar Patnaik, both Minister Finance and Planning & Coordination have been asked to stay back.

Almost all the Chief Ministers of the states are accompanied by the Ministers handing Finance and Planning & Coordination departments

As the NDC has been convened to approve the mid-term appraisal (MTA) of the 11th Plan and to consider the main issues of the 12th Plan (2012-17), presence of Ministers of Finance and Planning & Coordination was pertinent, pointed out a senior official.

Secondly NDC will discuss how best to implement the Right to Education Bill and how the Centre and the states can share the cost.

It will also discuss introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) from next year.

So presence of the Minister of Finance of the state was very much necessary, pointed out an expert in Finance.

Way back in 1990, when Biju Patnaik, the legendary leader and father of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was voted to power, he delayed in formation of the Ministry.

When asked by Media as to how long it will take to choose his colleagues, the maverick Biju asked the reporters “Am I not enough”.

“Now Naveen is following the foot steps of his towering father”, pointed out one of Minister, who has been opted out.

“In a bureaucratic government, one can not expect better appreciation for the political entity”, he lamented.