Jagannath Temple Standoff Stage-Managed By Two Ministers: BJP

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Friday said that the 10-hour impasse at Jagannath Temple in Puri was ‘stage-managed’ by two ministers.

“The two ministers—Maheswar Mohanty and Pradeep Maharathy—without any concern for the religious sentiments of thousands of devotees and over one crore Odias had orchestrated the delay in the rituals of the Lords only to divert the attention of the people from the Pipili gang rape and murder case. For these two ministers, the deities remained without worship and any offerings for 10 hours,” state BJP spokesperson Pitambar Acharya told mediapersons here.

He further said that the audacious statement of the Puri SP to the media was like adding salt to the injury while accusing the Law Minister of not taking the matter seriously.

“The people of Odisha will give a befitting reply to the BJD government on the Pipili case and the temple impasse incident,” Acharya pointed out.

The BJD leaders could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.