Mrunal Manmay Dash

Congress MLA raises ‘Naveen Patnaik Zindabaad’ slogan on stage 

In a startling move, Jeypore MLA and senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati raised ‘Naveen Patnaik zindabad’ slogan on stage during the platinum jubilee celebrations of Vikram Deb Autonomous College in Jeypore, Koraput.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was the chief guest at the Platinum Jubilee celebration of Vikram Deb Autonomous College, while Bahinipati, being the local MLA, was also present as guest. 

Thanking Patnaik for granting University status to the college, Bahinipati said, “Jeypore is fortunate to have Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here. He has created history by coming to this college.”

Not only Naveen Patnaik, but Bahinipati went on to heap praises on 5T Secretary, VK Pandian and ruling Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) organisational secretary, Pranab Prakash Dash too.

“Earlier, when I met Pandian sir, he had promised me to look after Jeypore. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to him,” Bahinipati said.
Following his speech, Bahinipati continued raising slogans of ‘Naveen Patnaik Zindabaad’.

Asked about the sudden change in his tone towards the BJD, Bahinipati said, "Our dreams have come true today. It is my duty to welcome Naveen Patnaik if he comes to our area. We are Koraput people, we offer our hospitality to even our ebemies if they come to our house."

However, the Congress party did not take the praises well. Stunned by Bahinipati's statemet, Congress leader, Durga Shankar Sahu said, "His statements has put everybody in the party under suspicion. Who are we going to fight against? If our leader makes such statements, we will be lost."

Earlier in May 2022, Bahinipati had resigned from the Congress party's chief whip post and said he stepped down from the position due to personal reasons.

The stepping-down of Bahinipati from post when there was growing demand for a change in guard in the State unit of Congress had created a buzz in the political circles.

(Reported By T Gourishankar, OTV)

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