Actress Varsha Priyadarshini's caustic jibe at Bhubaneswar MP and BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi over heritage corridor controversy surrounding the Puri Jagannath Temple seemed to have turned the heads of political analysts in Odisha.
In her latest Twitter post, the Ollywood actress has lashed out at parliamentarian Sarangi for questioning the legitimacy of the construction work around the prohibited area around Puri Srimandir.
While Sarangi and the Opposition have turned the heat on Odisha government for executing digging works in the vicinity of the 12th century shrine, they claim, are being carried out without permission from the competent authority i.e. the ASI.
Actress Varsha however criticised the Parliamentarian for not considering the need of development in the pilgrim hotspot in her statements.
“I am an Odia girl, whenever I go to visit Puri Srimandir, I don’t find public toilets for women nearby & I have also heard similar complaints from women Bhakts visitors as well. If Government is developing facilities for pilgrims in Puri, what is your @AprajitaSarangi problem?” the actress wrote in her Twitter handle recently.
She further wrote, “..When you entered politics we thought you would work for the development of Odisha, but now we are deeply disappointed. I hope you will understand the plight of the pilgrims particularly of women going to Puri and Lingaraj and not oppose the development of pilgrim facilities there."
While MP Aparajita has not released any response over Varsha’s comments, the development has fuelled speculations of Varsha's rising inclination towards the ruling BJD.
The actress who is embroiled in a marital dispute case with her husband BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty, also stroked similar rumours during her campaign for BJD in the recent Municipal polls in which she openly vouched her appreciation for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his government.
“I am just a fan of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and that is why I have joined the campaign. I urge one and all to vote for BJD,” she had said during the campaigning.
On Varsha’s sudden affinity towards the conch party, political analysts view that she has criticised BJP to earn brownie points from the BJD high command. It could be the reason why she is raising toilet issue when the construction work in prohibited area around Puri Srimandir by the State government is under scanner.
Recently talks have also begun to do rounds which suggest that the BJD is preparing to project Varsha as party's Lok Sabha candidate for Bhubaneswar against Aparajita for the next general elections in 2024.
(Edited by Suryakant Jena)