Power outage at Cuttack Barabati Stadium: Odisha Deputy CM blames previous BJD govt

Odisha Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo criticised the former Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-led government in the state, recalling a power outage during their tenure similar to the recent ODI cricket match between India-England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

The recent blackout occurred due to a machine failure in one of the stadium's generators, not because of Tata Power, Singh Deo clarified. He has called upon the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) to investigate the incident and report back within 10 days.

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The Deputy CM reminded critics of a previous incident during the BJD's rule when a power disruption occurred at an event attended by the President of India in Baripada. Despite the gravity of the situation, he remarked, no explanation has been provided yet.

“A cricket match was recently held, during which the power of a tower failed. Tata Power had no role to play in it. The lighting arrangements were rather done from their (OCA’s) own generator. Machines do fail to perform from time to time. OCA has already been asked to carry out an inquiry into the incident,” Deputy CM Singh Deo expressed.

The cricket body in Cuttack is to submit its detailed probe report within 10 days.

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“One thing I would like to clearly say to those political parties that are raising questions on the power outage. When President Murmu was delivering her speech during an official tour to Baripada, a power failure occurred. That supply was not from any generator but was directly from their (BJD's) government source,” Deputy CM Singh Deo alleged.

“The party has not yet furnished any clarification on that outage,” the Minister added.

No comments were received from the BJD.