Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 27: Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik will seek a report from Bargarh district leaders on the alleged attack on cavalcade of two Union ministers recently.
“The party supremo will seek details about the incident from concerned BJD leaders in the district,” said BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb. He clarified that the incident had occurred “accidentally” and “the ruling party leadership would not endorse such activities.”
“This incident has happened unfortunately. Had it been premeditated, we would not have convened a press meet prior to the incident explaining our plan to hold a black flag demonstration before the central ministers,” Deb said.
To a question on the alleged role of Bargarh MLA Debesh Acharya in the incident, Deb said the party supremo will take appropriate disciplinary action if ‘‘the alleged complicity’’ is proved.
The cavalcade of Union ministers Santosh Gangwar and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda was pelted with stones allegedly by a group of ruling BJD workers, led by one MLA, when they were on their way to attend a meeting in Bargarh June 24 to mark two years of the NDA government.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Suresh Pujari criticised the ruling BJD for ‘‘not taking any action against persons responsible for the stoning incident whereas the same government had slapped IPC section 307 on persons who had pelted eggs at the Chief Minister’s cavalcade’’ some time back.
The BJD leaders, meanwhile, came down heavily on defence minister Manohar Parriker for his critical comments on the issue. Parrikar had said in Cuttack Sunday, “I am the defence minister of the country. If anyone has guts, let him face me.”
“Such remarks were never expected from the country’s defence minister. He (Parriker) has demeaned the dignity of the post,” said BJD leader and agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy.
