BJP & BJD spar over Paika Rebellion Memorial; Congress holds both responsible  

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have once again taken off their gloves. This time, they are at loggerheads over the delay of the construction of Paika Rebellion Memorial at Barunei in Khordha.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had on July 7 visited the place earmarked for the Paika Rebellion Memorial at Barunei in Khordha and expressed concern over its tardy progress.  He had alleged that the electric poles and trees have not been shifted even though the central government has provided funds for the memorial. 

This was enough to upset its arch-rival, the BJD. It held a press meet yesterday wherein its leaders lashed out at the central government. 

In response to this, the saffron party conducted a press conference today and launched a counterattack on the BJD. 

“The BJD is conspiring against setting up of the memorial. On the alibis of electric poles and trees, they are not handing over the land. So the construction work of the project is yet to take off,” said BJP MLA Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra. 

In response to the BJP’s allegation, BJD MLA Rajendra Sahu said, “We don’t have any objection to the project. Our government has always been cooperating.”

On the other hand, the Congress held both the BJD and the BJP responsible for the delay. 

“For the delay, both governments are responsible. They are not clearing the ground and not allowing the contractor to work there. If the government hasn’t started the process by August 16, we will fell the trees as we already have planted that many trees,” said Congress leader Suresh Routray. 

Meanwhile, Kalinga Paika Sangathan alleged that the state government is demanding Rs 10 crore to axe trees and remove electric polls. 

“For transplantation to compensate the trees to be felled, the government is demanding money. To remove the electric poles from the proposed location, the government is asking for Rs 3.5 crore. For shifting of the road, money is also demanded. In total, they are asking for Rs 10 crore. Because of this, the project is getting delayed, resulting in resentment among the people,” said secretary of  Kalinga Paika Sangathan, Krushnachandra Harichandan. 

“We condemn the callousness of the state government. It should take steps to immortalize the memory of Paika Rebelion,” said Prafulla Samantaray, a Khordha resident.

Notably, former President Ram Nath Kovind had laid the foundation stone for the project in 2019