Odisha BJP Protests 5T Secy VK Pandian’s Angul Visit; Egg Shops Closed

Angul: Amid continued protests against 5T Secretary VK Pandian’s whirlwind Odisha tour, Bharatiya Janata Party  (BJP) workers staged a demonstration at Talcher opposing his visit to Angul district on Monday.

Egg shops were also closed for two days since Sunday in view of the visit of the 5T Secretary to the district as he had earlier faced the wrath of opposition parties, sources said. His carcade had been targeted by protesters at some places earlier.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers had reportedly hurled eggs at his carcade near Kota Samalei-Ulunda road during his visit to Sonepur district a week ago. Eggs were also reportedly hurled at the 5T Secretary’s motorcade during his visit to Boudh.

As 5T secretary visited Maa Hingula temple at Talcher and reviewed several developmental programmes, BJP workers strongly opposed his tour. A large number of saffron party workers wearing black clothes staged a protest outside the office of Talcher sub-collector terming Pandian’s visit as political.

The protesters, led by BJP’s state secretary Kalandi Samal, staged a sit-in outside the sub-collector’s office raising slogan against Pandian’s visit to the district. The demonstrators were holding banners and placards and shouting slogans like ‘go back Pandian’ as a mark of protest.

The protesters alleged that it was not an official visit but a political programme by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). They also claimed that the IAS officer has been touring different places and making false promises while youths in the state are facing acute unemployment.

BJP leaders sharpened their attack on BJD after a purported audio related to the 5T Secretary’s Talcher visit went viral on social media. In the purported audio, Talcher MLA Brajakishore Pradhan was heard saying that a large gathering and grand welcome during the visit will ensure more funds for the area.

Samal said it is unfortunate that the MLA is asking Self Help Group (SHG) members, who are not BJD workers, to attend the meeting. Vehicles have also been engaged for transporting people for the programme, he claimed.

The Opposition parties in the state have been accusing the 5T secretary of violating the service conduct rules, and promoting the ruling BJD in the name of government programmes.

No senior BJD leader was immediately available for comment on BJP’s opposition to the IAS officer’s visit to the district.