Aparajita Indulging In Politics In The Name Of Lord Jagannath: Pinaki Mishra

Puri: A fresh war of words has erupted between Odisha MPs Pinaki Mishra and Aparajita Sarangi over the Puri Heritage Corridor Project. After Aparajita, the BJP MP from Bhubaneswar, took a fresh swipe at him, Mishra, the BJD MP from Puri, on Wednesday accused her of “playing politics in the name of Lord Jagannath.”

“Being a former bureaucrat, how can she think that the government and all officers concerned would do anything without necessary approvals. Everything has been done in consonance with rules, regulations and the law,” Mishra said.

“Aparajita is aspiring to create her own political space and hence is making a condemnable attempt at politics in the name of Lord Jagannath. No one has succeeded by dragging Lord Jagannath into politics,” he further said.

“The Orissa High Court has already conducted two hearings in the matter. Had there been irregularities, would it not have given a stay order,” the BJD leader asked.

Mishra was responding to Aparajita’s remarks during her visit to Puri on Wednesday that if “Mishra, who she respected as a colleague, was not aware of the goings on pertaining to the heritage corridor project, how do we expect 4.5 crore people of Odisha to know the truth about the construction plans close to the Srimandir”.

Aparajita also took a dig at Mishra for seeking support from Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb for the heritage corridor. “I don’t want to comment on Gajapati Maharaj’s statements. We support development and beautification but we need to know the ASI’s opinion,” she said.

During a visit to Puri on Wednesday, Aparajita questioned why the government was afraid if irregularities had not been committed. “Which engineer or expert gave permission to dig up to 30 feet close to the temple? We want the ASI to respond. Where is T and transparency? Why has the House Committee not come for an inspection? Is construction work being carried out with ASI approval? Who gave permission for digging in restricted zone,” she asked.

“I myself was an administrator and I have full respect for the administrative officials. The administration has nothing to be afraid of. I should be allowed to have ‘darshan’ of Lord Jagannath by walking on foot,” she said, after her motorcade was stopped on way to Puri.

This is not the first time that the two MPs have sparred over the heritage corridor. Earlier, both had sparred in the Lok Sabha over the issue.

Aparajita had targeted Mishra for alleged misinformation on the heritage corridor project.

Earlier this month, reacting to Mishra’s statement on the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the National Monument Authority (NMA) to the Odisha government on September 4 last year for construction of a cloakroom, shelter pavilion and toilets within the prohibited 75-metre zone of the Jagannath Temple, Aparajita said the paper being shown by him in support of the project was a letter by the NMA and not an NOC.

Mishra had countered that he did not lie in Parliament and the NMA had issued an NOC to the state government. “I could not inform the House about all the projects being taken up due to time constraints,” he said.