Bhubaneswar: Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday challenged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for a debate on her performance as the MP of Bhubaneswar.
Responding to Naveen’s allegation that no development work was carried out by the MP in Bhubaneswar in the last five years, Aparajita said she was shocked that a ‘respectable’ chief minister of 24 years was targeting a first-time MP without verifying the facts.
Stating that she has been sending her performance report to Naveen every year, the Bhubaneswar MP said, “The chief minister might not have seen those reports. He just read out what was written by the coterie.”
“I have written to the chief minister on increasing the number of vending zones for convenience of the consumers and benefit of the traders several times. Similarly, I pointed out money laundering in Padmakesharipur and violent incidents, involving the illegal transactions, in my letters. I have also raised numerous other issues in my letters. But I am yet to get any response from the chief minister or his office till date,” she added.
The BJP leader also strongly refuted Naveen’s allegation that she tried to stop Ekamra and Lingaraj temple transformation project. “I have never objected to the heritage project. I have not discussed anything on the project. Rather, work has been done with a lot of funds from ASI. The allegation is baseless,” she said.
Aparajita, who is seeking re-election from Bhubaneswar, said a false narrative was being peddled by the BJD. “The ruling party was rattled by the prospect of its defeat in the elections and was issuing vague statements,” she added.
“I have all respects for the chief minister. But I must ask whether he has any evidence written or oral regarding his statements that I tried to stall the Lingaraj temple work? Rather, I have written to him four times for development of heritage, but got no response,” she said.
“I am giving the Chief Minister 72 hours to come with proof on the allegations against me for a public debate. I also invite him for a debate on my contributions to the constituency in the last five years,” said Sarangi.
