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The political row over Lord Lingaraj’s land embezzlement intensified on Monday with the ruling BJD and Opposition BJP accusing each other after a massive controversy over the ownership of a patch of land belonging to the 11th century Shaivite shrine in Bhubaneswar erupted.
Launching a scathing attack on ruling BJD government, BJP alleged that Lord Lingaraj’s land are being usurped unethically.
Speaking to reporters, State BJP spokesperson and State general secretary, Lekhashree Samantsinghar said, “It is clearly mentioned in the Endowment Commission Act that Lord Lingaraj’s land are non transferable and no one can buy those. Under what circumstances the land of Lingaraj were embezzled and who are the conspirators behind this scam should come to the fore.”
Coming down heavily on the State government, the BJP leader alleged, “Those who are in charge of protecting the land of Lord Lingaraj are themselves involved in the selling the God's property. I demand the Odisha govt should immediately begin process to transfer the ownership of the contentious land to Lord Lingaraj.”
She said a road has been constructed on the disputed land by spending Rs 18 lakh from local MLA Ashok Panda’s MLA-LAD fund which indicates the BJD legislator’s involvement in the land grab.
Earlier in the day, the party launched a massive protest accusing the Odisha government of selling the property of the Lord at throwaway prices.
The members of the party, led by Bhubaneswar district president Babu Singh, strongly opposed the alleged sale of the land measuring 228 decimals near the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA).
The protestors put up the photos of Lord Lingaraj and bana (flag) on the said land. They also burnt the effigy of BJD Minister Ashok Panda and pledged not to let anyone sell even an inch of land belonging to Lord Lingaraj.
“This is Ekamra Khetra, the land of Lord Lingaraj. The land property of Lord Lingaraj is spreading over many areas here. But the State government is conspiring and selling the property to mining mafia, contractors at throwaway prices. There are many instances as well as proof of such illegal activities,” Singh alleged.
Reacting to the allegation levelled by the BJP, the ruling BJD said the claims were baseless and termed it as a political stunt ahead of the Panchayat and Municipal elections.
“The allegations levelled against me are completely false. I challenge BJP to prove me wrong,” said Panda.
Speaking on the issue, the BJD MLA Debi Prasad Mishra said the Tehsildar and other revenue inspectors have stopped constructions on the land.
“The Tehsildar and other revenue authorities have stopped construction works on the land. Given that, what conspiracy has the government done? Had the government not wanted, the work would not have stopped,” said Mishra.
Asked about possible reason why BJP is raising the issue, Mishra said it could be on account of the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal polls.
Meanwhile, when OTV contacted Kiruthika Prabhakaran, who reportedly owns the land, for reaction, she refrained from saying anything on camera. However, off the camera, she claimed that she had purchased the land by following the necessary legalities and possesses the mutation ‘patta’ (record) with her after the formal transfer of ownership. Furthermore, Prabhakaran questioned where she went wrong.
Meanwhile, locals claimed flats and business establishments are being constructed on plots adjacent to the disputed land following prior approval of the BDA and other concerned departments.
“We have taken housing loan (for construction of house) from banks and paying Municipality tax. As many as 25 families are living here since last 30-40 years. This is not Lord Lingaraj’s land,” claimed Ranapratap Patra, who owns a house adjacent to the disputed land.
“I bought the land from one Ghana Pradhan back in 1981. I got the land patta in 1989,” said Baidyanath Sahoo, another resident.
