Srimandir temple administrator row: Odisha govt in BJP & Cong’s crosshairs for disobeying HC order 

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on Tuesday hauled the Odisha government over the coals for not appointing a permanent administrator of Srimandir, paying scant regards to the direction of the Supreme Court. 

Amidst the row of Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project deepening with each passing day, the BJP and Congress have started cornering the government on appointment of permanent temple administrator issue. 

While Bhubaneswar BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi raised the issue on Monday, the saffron party’s senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra and senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra launched a fierce attack on the government over the same issue. 

“There should be a permanent chief administrator who would have no other responsibilities but the temple management. There has been a direction from the Supreme Court in this regard as well. Not following the SC’s direction indicates the ulterior motive of the State government,” said Bijoy Mohapatra. 

Similarly, Narasingha Mishra said, “The State government is wittingly avoiding the Supreme Court’s direction regarding appointment of a permanent administrator for Srimandir. If the State government is not paying any heed to the SC’s direction, we can’t say whom they will obey.”

Responding to the allegations, Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh said, "Our party (ruling BJD) spokesperson has alraedy clarified. Arguments over the issue are baseless.