At a time when the Odia Asmita and Odia language have been major poll issues in the state, BJD leader VK Pandian on Friday found himself in the eye of a storm after wrongly addressing legendary personalities at a public meeting in Sambalpur.
VK Pandian wrongly addressed eminent Odia poet Swabhaba Kabi Gangadhar Meher during the public meeting in the presence of the Chief Minister. Not only this, but Pandian also referred to Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi as only Kabi.
Terming it as a sheer disrespect to Odia pride, state BJP chief Manmohan Samal said, “The people of Sambalpur will decide. There is a difference between Swabhaba Kabi and Santha Kabi and one cannot expect much from a person who is unable to make a connect with the water and air of Odisha. There is a need to teach him Odia culture, history and about eminent personalities and it cannot be construed as a printing mistake. It is an offence.”
Congress’ Sambalpur MLA candidate Durga Prasad Padhi said, “The BJD has never shown respect to the eminent personalities of Sambalpur and they indulge in politics only. Such a gaffe could have been avoided had he read and known about Swabhaba Kabi Gangadhar Meher and Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi. Naveen Patnaik cannot learn Odia. The people of Sambalpur will never forgive this time."
Though Pandian’s comment could not be obtained, Sambalpur BJD MLA candidate Rohit Pujari stated that it could be a slip of the tongue.
“It could have been a slip of the tongue but the issues raised by Pandian hold significance as CM Naveen Patnaik has focused on the development of places of prominent personalities of the state while nothing has been done by the Centre.”
Pujari further said that VK Pandian also raised the serious issue of Mahanadi and accused the BJP of doing nothing for the farmers and resolving the issue.