MLA-Collector face off intensifies in Odisha as Congress gheraoes collectorate

The face-off between Kantabanjhi MLA Santosh Singh Saluja and Bolangir Collector Chanchal Rana took an ugly turn on Wednesday after hundreds of Congress workers and Saluja’s supporters gheraoed the Collector's office.

As per reports, hundreds of supporters of the Congress lawmaker gathered in Bolangir and along with Saluja, marched to the Collector’s office. They gheraoed the office protesting the alleged reduction of funds meant for Biju KBK scheme by the Collector.

The bureaucrats and other officials of Bolangir district administration have been protesting the alleged misbehaviour towards Collector Chanchal Rana by Saluja during a meeting.

The officials have been by wearing black badges since January 16 as a mark of protest.

Saluja on January 12 had lost his cool and lashed out at Bolangir Collector Chanchal Rana for allegedly slashing the funds of various government schemes in his constituency.

Saluja got into an argument with Rana in a packed conference hall at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) office during the Zilla Parishad meeting.

Saluja alleged that the district administration cut the funds for the financial year 2021-22. He also accused the district administration of violating government guidelines.

Security was tightened at the Collector’s office to ward off any untoward incident that may arise from the protest.

(Reported By Ghateswar Mishra, OTV)