Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, major demolition activity is reportedly being undertaken at the government quarters allotted to senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Odisha MLA Pranab Prakash Das in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
As per preliminary information, at least 20 people are engaged in the demolition work which is underway at the government quarters of the BJD organisational secretary.
While many huge structures are being dismantled, it is not clear as to who is undertaking the demolition work at the sprawling complex located in the heart of the capital city.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that the building was renovated with an expenditure of a few crores.
However, it is not clear whether the huge amount of money was spent by the previous BJD government or Das himself. Sources said BJD leaders were holding important meetings at the building.
It was not immediately clear whether the demolition activity is underway as per the instruction of Das himself.
Das, also a former Minister, contested the recent elections from Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency and was defeated by BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Following his defeat, the BJD leader may have to vacate the government quarters.
Now, questions are being raised about the legality of the highly expensive renovation work done in the government quarters. It is not known whether proper permission had been obtained for such construction work in an official residence.
Explaining the reason behind demolition, Pranab Prakash Das said that government quarters are returned in the same condition in which these are allotted.
He told media that a temporary extension had been built in the official residential complex to accommodate many BJD leaders and workers who were visiting him as he was the organisational secretary of the party.
The temporary structures need to be dismantled to bring the entire complex to the original shape at the time of allotment, he added.
