Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Legislator from Surada Purna Chandra Swain landed in trouble after an FIR was registered against him on Tuesday for organising a community feast in his village on Monday in violation of Covid 19 guidelines.
The FIR was registered by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Ghumusar unit president at the Surada Police Station demanding stern action against the ‘violator’ MLA.
Gokulananada Mallick, District BJP President, Ghumusar said, “I want to know whether COVID rules are different for the ruling party MLA, or he is flouting the norms at his own whims.”
“The District BJP demands stern action against Swain,” Mallick added.
Swain had refuted the allegations on Monday. The BJD MLA claimed he didn’t organise any community lunch and the feast was held under the ‘Jiban Bindu’ programme.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Congress party too had submitted a written complaint with the Ganjam Collector in this connection and alleged that the administration did not initiate action against the lawmaker.
Congress’ Sangram Keshari Arukh said, “I contacted the Collector many times over this gross violation of COVID norms by the MLA and even provided him with video evidence. No action has been taken against the culprit BJD MLA.”
Reacting to reports, District Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange said that the Sub-Collector has already collected fines from Swain.
The storm was formed on Monday after the MLA organised a community lunch at his village on the first death anniversary of his late father, the video of which went viral.
In the viral video, a large crowd is seen at the lunch venue in Amrutula village, native of Swain, in Ganjam district. The villagers are seen queuing up at the venue while Covid norms including social distancing and use of mask were thrown to the wind.