Bhubaneswar: Tight security, opposition and palpable tension gripped Odisha 5T secretary V K Pandian’s visit to Ganjam district on Friday as his strong critic and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi reached his constituency opposing the bureaucrat.
Opposition BJP also staged protests, surcharging the state’s politicosphere amid speculation of early Assembly polls in the BJD-ruled state.
While stating that he would attend the grievance redressal meeting, which the 5T secretary is scheduled to hold at Balaji Bidyapitha in Gopalpur Assembly constituency, Panigrahi had earlier thrown an open challenge at CM, Chief Secretary and DGP over his safety. “The political scenario of Odisha will completely change if anything happens to me today. Chief Minister to the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DG Police, DCP Bhubaneswar and SPs of Khurda, Berhampur and Ganjam are responsible for my safety,” he again told journalists while leaving for his constituency this morning.
Also Read: Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi Ups The Ante, Says He Will Attend 5T Secy V K Pandian Meet
Even as the MLA expressed apprehensions over obstructions being created to prevent him from reaching Ganjam, his vehicle was reportedly stopped near Lanjipalli overbridge by alleged BJD workers. Heated argument was also witnessed between supporters of the lawmaker and the ruling party as the latter climbed on his car and also allegedly manhandled the legislator.
Panigrahi, who finally managed to reach his constituency, had also questioned deployment of 4,000 policemen at Kanishi. “Is there any justification for deploying 4,000 policemen at a place like Kanishi? Is the Chief Minister going there? For an officer, such huge deployment of force is ridiculous,” he said.
Besides the tight security, police also picked up Alok Satpathy, secretary of Ghumusar organisational district of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of BJP, from Beguniapada market even as the saffron party activists staged ‘black towel’ protest near Konisi Chhak, opposing 5T Secretary’s visit to Gopalpur assembly constituency, reports added.
According to official sources, Pandian will interact with students at Khallikote College ground, WSHG members at Purushottampur, Beguniapada and Rangeilunda in Gopalpur on August 25. He will address people and hear complaints at KSUB College Sports Ground in Bhanjanagar, Mini Stadium in Sorada, Aska Science College, Lunighati Playground in Polosara and RCM Science College Ground in Khallikote on August 26. Similar meetings are also scheduled at Mini Stadium in Pattapur near Sanakhemundi, Khemundi College Stadium of Digapahandi, Chikitigada Mini Stadium and Chhatrapur Stadium on August 27.
The state government or BJD or Pandian are yet to respond to Panigrahi’s statements.
