Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice President Baijayant Panda on Sunday visited Ekamania village under Aul block in Kendrapara district and met the bereaved families of two persons who lost their lives in the April 27 Brahmani river boat mishap.
Panda visited the houses of the deceased-minor boy Dipendra Behera and boatman Sudarshan Swain- and met their family members. A visibly upset Panda spent some time with the aggrieved family members. He expressed his deep grief at the passing away of the two villagers in the mishap.
On the other hand, the BJP launched a broadside against the State government and Minister Pratap Deb.
Holding the government responsible for the mishap, district BJP president Kishore Chandra Panda said if a bridge had been constructed, two precious lives would have been saved.
“It is unfortunate that the foundation stone for a bridge was laid in 2016, but the government is least bothered about the execution of the project. We condemn Minister Pratap Deb’s insensitive statement on the mishap that claimed two lives. It’s an affront to us. There should be no repeat of such a tragic incident here. And I would like to demand before the government that the construction of the bridge should be completed before the occurrence of another such mishap,” said Panda.
In this regard, reactions from the BJD and Minister Deb couldn’t be obtained.