Shoe Attack On CM: BJP Flag Found With Accused, Says Police

Bargarh/Bhubaneswar: A youth hurled shoes at Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday while the latter was campaigning for his party candidate Rita Sahoo for the upcoming Bijepur bypoll.

At around 6 pm, the incident took place at Kumbhari village in Barpali of Odisha’s Bargarh district when a youth, who was sitting close to the dais, allegedly hurled shoes targeting the Chief Minister while he was about to finish addressing a public meeting.

Kartik was thrashed by the locals after attempting the attack. He was immediately rushed to Barpali hospital for treatment and later shifted to Burla hospital after sustaining severe injuries on his leg.

BJP state president Basant Panda claimed the person does not belong to the party. Stating that the incident is condemnable, Panda said the BJP does not believe in violence.

Shoes were hurled on Patnaik while he was about to finish addressing a public meeting as part of campaigning for BJD candidate Rita Sahoo for the February 24 Bijepur bypoll.

The shoes did not hit the CM as the security personnel prevented the attack.