Bhubaneswar: BJP’s MP candidate for Bhubaneswar Aparajita Sarangi came down heavily on BJD leader VK Pandian for alleged disrespect to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Aparajita, who took out a roadshow in the city on Sunday evening, said in spite of political rivalry, the leaders should issue respectful comments against each other. “As an IAS officer, Pandian should have learnt decorum and decency during training. But he crossed the ‘Laxman Rekha’ when he called the Prime Minister a tourist to Puri. He also used derogatory words like ‘Aukat’ (identity) and ‘Dam’ (strength) against senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan,” she said.
Stating that Pandian should restrain from using such words and remain within his limits, the MP said a leader who has not contested even in panchayat elections should not speak on the works of MPs.
On Pandian’s question about her performance as an MP, Sarangi said she was not answerable t0 him. Besides, he should reply what the BJD MPs have achieved during their tenure.
“My political future does not depend on the comments of Pandian. I have been submitting my report cards every year and those are available in public domain. Instead of questioning me, the BJD leader should ask 12 MPs of his party about their performance,” she said.
Aparajita further asked what were the achievements of BJD leader Prasanna Patsani who was MP for 25 years. Can he come out with his annual report cards? “There were 12 Lok Sabha MPs of BJD from 2019 to 2024. What about their report cards? Except three BJD MPs, none of the others has participated in the House discussion nor was seen during the sessions,” she added.
