Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday alleged that ‘fake narrative’ is being created in politics. Her statement was in response to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's allegations that the BJP MP tried to stall Lingaraj temple project work.
“I have respect for CM; is there any evidence written or oral regarding his statements that I tried to stall the work of Lingaraj temple work? Under no circumstances I had discussed anything on the project. Rather, work has been done with a lot of funds from ASI. The CM is only reading out a written speech. The allegations are baseless. Every year I have been releasing report cards. I urge the CM and the BJD to read to know what works have been done by me.”
Earlier, in a video, CM Naveen was heard saying, “You have seen that no major work has been done by the Bhubaneswar MP in the last 5 years. The MP has also tried to stop the Ekamra and Lingaraj transformation project.”
Later in the day, Sarangi took a swipe at the Chief Minister for accusing her of objecting to the Lingaraj Temple bylaw.
“I invite the Chief Minister for a debate related to the issues of development in these five years,” said Sarangi.
“It has not only surprised me but also saddened me that a 24-year-long-serving Chief Minister is pointing a finger at a first-time Member of Parliament. I have been submitting my report card every year. But that card is not reaching from the coterie to him (Chief Minister). Such a video message is only revealing the BJD’s haplessness,” Sarangi said.
“For the development of heritage, I wrote letters to him (Chief Minister) four times but got no response,” she said.
“He also told me that I had opposed the Lingaraj Temple Bylaw. Did he have proof to accuse me or just read from a handout? I need proof.
I am clearly stating that I, in the capacity of a Member of Parliament never objected to the bylaw, neither written or verbally, neither directly or indirectly,” she added.
“I am giving him 48 hours. No, I am giving him 72 hours. Because I know 48 hours will be too short for him to find out proof against me. I am giving him time to search for proof against me and come out with it. I need proof as to when I objected to the Lingaraj Temple bylaw,” she further added.
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Amidst the ongoing controversy, BJP National Vice-President and party’s Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Panda today questioned the authenticity of the CM’s video.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter), Panda wrote, "The magic is long gone, no crowds at public rallies of Lumber 1 CM! So Tamil puppeteer is again resorting to AI-powered, computer-generated #DeepFake videos "by CM" to make entirely false allegations."
Panda further wrote, “Seriously doubt that the real CM is even aware of what his virtual avatar is purportedly saying.” Panda further urged the media to check the contest and question while asking Bhubaneswar MP to expose the fraudster orchestrating it.
“Media, please check the content and question. & @AprajitaSarangi you're a fighter, don't take this fakery lying down, push back and expose the fraudster orchestrating it,” Panda tweeted.
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