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Balasore Sadar MLA Swarup Das was allegedly 'humiliated' by a woman Sarpanch and several other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers during a ceremony to inaugurate a drinking water project in the district, on Friday.
As per reports, the BJD MLA had attended the inaugural ceremony, organised by the Rural Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation (RWSS) Division at Gopinathpur Panchayat under Sadar block. He was scheduled to unveil a plaque to mark the foundation stone laying ceremony of the drinking water project.
However, the Sarpanch of the Panchayat was furious after she did not find her name on the plaque. Even the name of the MP was missing from the slate though names of the MLA and Block president were prominently inscribed on it.
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"She (Sarpanch) got into a heated argument with me protesting the omission of her name in the plaque. The fact remains the names of Sarpanchs are not mentioned on the foundation stones for small projects. Even names of MPs are not mentioned in such small projects," said Das.
Following the incident, several BJP workers along with the woman Sarpanch cornered Das and allegedly humiliated him. The supporters of the Sarpanch surrounded Das while the duo (MLA and Sarpanch) were engaged in banter.
Das further added, "Their intention was to anyhow protest and they did it as per plans. Their aim was to stop the project so that the residents in the Panchayat are deprived of getting drinking water. By doing so, they will instigate the villagers against the Odisha government."
"Another Sarpanch, who was present at the spot, also protested over the matter. Later, the decision to inaugurate the project was completely left to the villagers. Several women of the village conducted the ground-breaking ceremony and inaugurated the project," Das said.
Later, the BJD leader sought the help of the police to make his way out of the event.
