Odisha MLA, lady sarpanch face off during inauguration event

An untoward situation sprang up during the inauguration of a bus terminal in Salipur of Cuttack district on Thursday when a lady sarpanch strongly opposed the event. She fumed as her name was not on the information plaque. 

Tension prevailed at the place as the lady sarpanch and supporters of the local MLA were seen scuffling with each other in front of a large gathering.  

As per reports, Salipur MLA Prashant Behera was inaugurating the project in Chandradeipur panchayat when sarpanch Rashimta Das came rushing and tried to prevent the MLA from unveiling the project. 

At that time, police personnel present there intervened and escorted the sarpanch out of the crowd. The situation remained tense for some time.

Speaking to the media, sarpanch Rashimta Das said, "The project is in my panchayat. As a sarpanch, shouldn’t I be present at the programme. All this was done without my knowledge. My name is missing from the plaque.”

“I opposed the inauguration because the people of my panchayat were not invited to the programme,” she lamented.

MLA Prashant Behera said, "It is the responsibility of the Transport Department to decide whose names would be etched on the information plaque. The officials of the department will look after that aspect. I have nothing to say about that issue.”