Bhubaneswar: Amid a row over Mayurbhanj Collector Vineet Bharadwaj wearing a T-shirt with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s logo, BJD leader and Special Development Council (SDC) Advisor Pradeep Majhi on Monday lashed out at Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi for criticising the officer.
Speaking to reporters, Majhi said the allegation made by the BJP MP was unfortunate as the occasion during which the Collector wore the T-shirt with Naveen’s logo was a government programme and not a political event.
Stating that the mini marathon was organised in Baripada by the SDC to encourage tribal youths, the former MP said that all those present at the event were wearing T-shirts with the CM’s logo.
Emphasising that the Chief Minister holds a constitutional post and happens to be the head of government in the state, Majhi said there is nothing wrong if officers wear T-shirts with his logo at a government event. It was not a political programme and there was no party symbol on the T-shirt, the BJD leader said.
Majhi claimed that the Bhubaneswar MP’s criticism was an insult to the tribals in state who will never forgive her.
Earlier in the day, Aparajita Sarangi strongly disapproved the Mayurbhanj collector wearing such a T-shirt. “Very unfortunate as well as ridiculous! Collector, Mayurbhanj, Odisha! Degeneration of the official standards to this extent. These officials must know that season is not the same always,” she wrote on X.
