BJD MLAs’ Foreign Visit With Odisha Govt Money To Be Opposed, Says BJP Legislator

Bhubaneswar: Strongly opposing any move to send ruling BJD MLAs to Dubai by spending Odisha government money, senior BJP leader and legislator Subash Panigrahi said such proposal to misuse state funds should be condemned.

“If Biju Janata Dal MLAs go on a visit to Dubai with government money, it must be condemned. The ruling party legislators should not be allowed to misuse government funds by undertaking foreign visits,” the Deogarh MLA told media.

Stating that foreign visits by MLAs are planned in accordance with laid down procedures, he claimed that the ruling BJD has been misusing government money by undertaking several activities including visits abroad.

If legislators have to visit Dubai for Utkal Divas event, a meeting should be held to chalk out the programmes in consultation with MLAs of all parties, Panigrahi said, adding that it is not fair to send only BJD legislators for the event.

Moreover, Utkal Divas was celebrated everywhere on April 1, but BJD is staging a drama to mislead people and woo non-resident Odias, the BJP leader claimed.

Accusing the ruling BJD of misusing government money, Panigrahi alleged that funds are being diverted from various agencies including Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) for its own political activities.