Keonjhar: The attack on Telkoi MLA Vedavyas Nayak by a group of youths at a meeting at Gundichaghati in Ghatagan block in Keonjhar district today has brought the simmering infighting in the ruling BJD to the fore.
Reports said as part of its party organisational meeting ahead of the panchayat polls scheduled in February next year, an organisational meeting for party’s Harichandanpur block was organised at Gundichaghati in Ghatagan block this morning.
However, trouble started when about 20-25 party workers suddenly climbed up the podium and started abusing Nayak and thrashing him. The hapless MLA, who sustained multiple injuries on his head, shoulder and back, was rushed to a government hospital at Harichandanpur from where he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
The incident took place at about 11 AM.
Talking to OTV later, Nayak said 10 minutes after the meeting 20-25 workers suddenly came and attacked me while abusing me with filthy language.
“Needless to say they are our party workers. But they are behaving like the dissidents”, he added.
Talking to media persons, Dasarathi Bej, block representative of Nayak, said since last Assembly elections, there is infighting between two dissident groups of the BJD. While group belongs to the MLA, the other group belongs to the minister.
While Keonjhar MP Shakuntala Laguri was not available for comment on the issue, local minister Badri Narayan Patra has refuted the allegations.
“I cannot say who have assaulted the MLA as I was not present at the meeting. The District BJD president was present when the incident took place. Whatever may be the fact, strong action should be taken against those involved in the incident,” Patra told the media.
Talking to OTV over phone, District BJD President Ashish Chakraborty said action would be taken against the youths whether they are BJD or non-BJD members. “There may be some misunderstanding in BJD but there is no dissidence in the party. Those who have attacked the MLA will be identified and taken to task,” he maintained.