BJP alleges BJD gaining political mileage from Asian Athletics Meet

Bhubaneswar: With just three more days to go for the Asian Athletics Championship, Odisha BJP today targeted BJD over use of Chief Minister and party supremo Naveen Patnaik's photo in the advertisement of the athletics meet to be held at Kalinga Stadium here.

BJP General Secretary Prithiviraj Harichandan alleged the government is using the event for political campaign by printing the image of Patnaik on the advertisement. The government is trying to take political mileage from sports, he added.

Similarly, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram also alleged the Odisha Government is confining the Asian Athletics meet to its coterie. He further added, "I have been invited, but will not be able to attend the meet due to prior engagements. I think Dharmendra Pradhan will attend it."

Reacting on Jual's comments, Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera said, "I request them not to keep such a small-mentality, it is a question of Odisha's pride so I call upon all to join hands together for this event. There is no political interest in it, don't spoil the event by politicising it."