MLA Tara Bahinipati, BDO face off in Koraput

Tension prevailed at the Papadahandi block office in Koraput district after Congress members led by senior party leader and Jeypore MLA,Tara Prasad Bahinipati gheraoed the Block Development Officer alleging corruption.

The face off took place following a protest launched by the Congress members in Papadahandi in front of the block office alleging mass corruption in the block which was allegedly facilitated by the BDO, Ranjita Mallick.

Speaking to reporters, Bahinipati said, “We are fed up with her work and conduct. She has threatened people to get them arrested on false woman atrocities case.”

“She does not know how to behave with a public representative. Even after repeated complaints, the district administration has turned a deaf ear on this matter,” Bahinipati alleged.

However, the BDO, Ranjita Mallick refuted the allegations and said that Bahinipati has misbehaved with her instead.

“He is Jeypore MLA and does not have any business here. But he assembled Congress members and misbehaved with me after accusing me of involvement of Corruption,” she said.

“The MLA did not let me go for lunch and made me sit at the office forcefully,” she alleged.

Notably, the Deogarh police on Sunday had arrested local MLA Subash Chandra Panigrahi and his two associates for allegedly thrashing Tileibani block development officer (BDO) Krushnachandra Dalapati on Saturday.

BDO Dalapati had lodged a complaint against Panigrahi accusing the legislator of beating him up on Saturday.