Berhampur/ Bhubaneswar: The bitter fight between Odisha’s 5T Secretary V K Pandian and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi was played out in full public view on Friday as the bureaucrat, for the maiden time, attacked the legislator though he stopped short of naming him.
In an veiled attack on Panigrahi, who was expelled from the BJD in November 2020 for alleged anti-people activities, Pandian, accused him of betraying migrant workers from Ganjam desperate to return home during the height of the COVID pandemic. “A people’s representative called up the Chief Minister and urged him not to allow migrant workers from returning to their homes. The legislator said that it would spell doom for Ganjam and Odisha. He said we should survive first and then think about others,” Pandian said at a public meeting at Kanishi in Ganjam.
He further said that the CM was unhappy with the suggestion and ordered the administration to ensure safe return of all those working outside the state.
The 5T secretary also spoke about social media posts as thousands of people started returning to Ganjam, spreading negativity and fuelling fear. “They spread lies on social media and criticised the COVID management in Ganjam. People in Ganjam and frontline COVID warriors were deeply hurt by the legislator’s activities,” he said.
Amid this negativity, the CM had then held discussions with sarpanchs and members of Mission Shakti via video conferencing and motivated them to continue the fight against COVID, the 5T secretary said.
He added that Maa Tarini, the presiding deity of Ganjam, would not forgive those who have betrayed the people of the southern Odisha district.
Responding to this purported phone call to the CM, Panigrahi called Pandian a liar. “I give an open statement that VK Pandian is a great, great liar,” he said.
There was palpable tension in the district earlier in the day as the Gopalpur MLA reached his constituency, where the 5T secretary was scheduled to hold a grievance meeting. The legislator faced egg attack while travelling from Bhubaneswar to Ganjam, and his vehicle was intercepted by alleged BJD supporters at Lanjipalli.
On Thursday, Panigrahi had criticised the BJD, the party which he was once part of, for the alleged prevailing bureaucratic form of government in the state. He also threw an open challenge to the CM, Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure his safety when he travels to his constituency during Pandian’s programme the following day.
Also Read: Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi Ups The Ante, Says He Will Attend 5T Secy V K Pandian Meet
With the MLA upping the ante and Naveen Patnaik’s close confidante refusing to pull his punches this time, the war of words between the two is likely to escalate in the days to come.
