Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das was allegedly insulted by the BJP government at the state-level Local Self Government Day function held in Odisha capital on Saturday. Sulochana said the organisers had invited her and the corporators of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to the event. However, no chair was offered to her and the corporators, she alleged, adding that the incident was an insult to the people’s representatives and democracy. On the other hand, Urban Development Minister said a special programme was also organised in BMC where the Mayor’s presence was required.
Insult To Bhubaneswar Mayor!
Local Self Government Day was celebrated at a special event held at Lok Seva Bhawan. It was alleged that though Mayor Sulochana Das was invited to the function, there was no chair for at the venue. She alleged that elected people’s representatives were insulted after being invited to the function. It was an insult to the Mayor as well as the corporators. Sulochana alleged that the BJP government does not know how to respect democracy.
What Did The Minister Say?
Sulochana alleged that for the first time in the history of Odisha a people’s representative was invited to a function and not offered a seat. She accused the organisers of having insulted her on the occasion. The function was organised by the officials of the department. Special programmes were also organised in BMC and other municipal bodies. Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mohapatra said it would not have been possible for the Mayor to attend the state-level event in view of the separate function being held in BMC.
Why Insult To Mayor?
Local Self Government Day was celebrated according significance to administration and governance at every level. Corporators described the incident as unfortunate and an insult to the Mayor. They contended that rules and regulations should not change with the change of government. They accused the government of insulting a woman Mayor despite making tall claims about women empowerment. BJD corporators boycotted the function as a mark of protest.
Aparajita Experience
Earlier, a lot of political heat was generated when Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi was not invited to the capital foundation day function. The MP was not invited to the function, which was chaired for the first time by Mayor Sulochana Das. Aparajita had expressed anguish over non-inclusion of her name in the list of invitees issued by the Information and Public Relations department. Sulochana is now complaining about not being offered a chair after being invited to the Local Self Government Day function.
