Protest During Ward Visit: How Will Odisha CM Compensate For My Lost Time? Asks Aparajita Sarangi

Bhubaneswar: A day after facing strong protests in Ward 43 here, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday sought answer from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over ‘wastage of her time by anti-socials’ and the state’s indifference to ensuring her security. 

“Yesterday night, I was detained for two hours in Bhubaneswar by a few miscreants. My time was wasted. Can Hon’ble @CMO_Odisha carcade be stopped for even 5 mts? Will CM compensate for my lost time?” she posted on X with the letter to the CM.

In the letter, Aparajita mentioned about Monday evening ward visit when she was allegedly stopped at Old post office lane at Laxmisagar “by a handful of miscreants”. “I work very hard for the welfare of the people of Bhubaneswar Parliamentary Constituency. I try to establish connect with as many residents as possible and, for that matter, I am required to hold small meetings in different parts of the Constituency. I had gone today to ward no-43 on invitation of residents to hold a meeting when some miscreants/ anti social elements stopped my car and prevented me from proceeding to the meeting spot. I sat in the car waiting for the police to control the situation for 2 hours,” she wrote.

The BJP MP also stated that she had been doing the rounds of her constituency since 7 am and was “almost without food”.
“Besides, more than 200 people were waiting in my office for public grievance during the time I was detained. This speaks of malicious intent on part of the state government. Two hours of my time was wasted and there was complete disruption in my office because of hooliganism. Most respectfully, I beg to ask you as to how does the state government compensate for my lost time,” she said while expressing concern over her security.

On Monday, BJP supporters alleged that most of the agitators, who blocked the way of the Bhubaneswar MP, were BJD supporters. They did not move from their place for a long time even after police intervention.

Aparajita later lashed out at the government for not providing adequate security to a woman lawmaker. The state BJP, in a statement, said that the ruling party has little regard and respect for women.