Bhubaneswar: A war of words ensued between Congress and BJP on Sunday over the latter’s proposed virtual rally on June 8.
Speaking to mediapersons here, Congress MLA Suresh Kumar Routray said it is illegal to hold such rally amid lockdown due to COVID-19. Alleging that the BJP-led Central government is flouting the norms set by itself, the MLA said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should be arrested.
Holding the Centre responsible for the spread of coronavirus, Routray said thousands of Odia migrants were suffering as the government failed to food and shelter to them. In a desperate bid to escape from starvation, the migrants were forced to return home packed in trains and buses, with many of them covering long distance on foot, he added.
In his reaction to Routray’s allegations, state general secretary of BJP Prithviraj Harichandan said the Congress will take another five years to understand the meaning of virtual rally. Till then, it is fruitless to comment on such allegations, he added.
On the virtual rally, Harichandan said the BJP will reach out to nearly one crore people through various social media platforms. Stating that the programme is exclusively meant for Odisha, he said the Union Home Minister will speak on various welfare steps taken by the Centre for the state.
