Vandalism In IAS Officer’s Residence Stage-Managed By Baijayant Panda, BJP: Health Minister

Bhubaneswar: The incident of vandalism inside the residence of IAS officer and Private Secretary to Chief Minister V K Pandian took a new turn on Sunday with senior BJD leader and Health Minister Pratap Jena accusing suspended party MP Baijayant Panda of stage-managing the incident in collusion with the BJP.

In a statement, the minister claimed that the suspended Kendrapara MP, who has been targeting Pandian, has orchestrated the vandalism in collusion with the saffron party.

Hours after BJP youth wing activists forcibly entered into Pandian’s official quarters at Unit VI here on Saturday morning, hurled cow dung and resorted to hoolganism, Panda had tweeted that he disagreed with barging into anyone’s house to protest. However, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb had at a press meet indirectly brought Panda under the lens by questioning the timing of coverage done by a leading Odia news channel belonging to Panda’s family.

While Panda has started inviting blame over the incident from BJD leaders, another senior party leader and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab, who is also strongly believed not to enjoying the best of terms with the BJD top leadership, condemned the BJP over the incident.  “It is a matter of utter disgrace that a national party has committed such shameful act. Vandalism by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers clearly reflects its sheer intolerance and jealousy towards the BJD,” Mahatab said.

Senior BJD leader Damodar Rout, who had to quit the Naveen Patnaik ministry in December, said the vandalism by the BJP inside the official residence of a government servant is indecent. However, he said since allegations against Pandian are pouring in, the Chief Minister should replace him on moral grounds.

Protesting the incident, the IAS Officers’ Association had a meeting here on Sunday and passed a resolution demanding action against the perpetrators of violence inside Pandian’s official residence.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, Secretary of the Association Vishal Kumar Dev said the meeting strongly condemned the vandalism. “We are stand(ing) united with Pandian and strongly condemn the incident. We will meet the Home Secretary and the Chief Minister and propose them to initiate stern action against the culprits,” he added.

On Saturday, other service bodies like that of IPS officers, OAS officers and police officers had condemned the incident and demanded that the culprits be booked.