BJP-BJD lock horns during Cuttack Zilla Parishad meeting

The Cuttack Zilla Parishad meeting witnessed unprecedented scenes on Saturday as BJP and BJD entered into a war of words over lack of development including the provision of drinking water and irrigation facilities in Mahanga Assembly Constituency.

The meeting witnessed a stormy start soon after Sarada Pradhan, BJP MLA from Mahanga, launched a scathing attack on the previous BJD government and held former MLA and Minister Pratap Jena responsible for lack of development in the constituency.

Despite serving as MLA and Minister for a long, Jena failed to make provision of drinking water, and irrigation facilities in the constituency, Pradhan alleged.

Soon after Pradhan’s statement, the BJD members lost their cool and started hurling chairs and files. Moreover, they also entered into an argument with Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab.

Commenting on the matter, Mahtab said, "Discussion was held on different agendas. The next meeting is scheduled for September. What happened during the meeting cannot be termed as indiscipline. There was some misunderstanding among the members. Everyone in the meeting was in the opening to speed up the development work but with a high pitch."

Kishore Mishra, Zilla Parishad chairman said, "Argument during discussion is nothing new. There is always differences in the opinions among members over various development works."