Kendrapara: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram today faced stiff resistance from BJD and Congress during his visit to Rajkanika area in the district to attend BJP’s ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ programme.
Protesting his tour to the coastal district, BJD activists showed black flags and hurled eggs at the vehicle of the Minister at Aul. A scuffle occurred between the mob and security officials escorting the minister there.
Earlier in the morning, some Congress activists led by local MLA Devendra Sharma were also detained while protesting Oram's visit by waving black flags on Rajkanika-Chandbali road. Later, 100 activists of the Congress including the legislator were taken into preventive custody.
The State BJP considered the protest as a joint effort of Congress and BJD to corner BJP. "Both Congress and BJD do not want development but destruction. Therefore, they are jointly creating such nuisance to thwart BJP's movement as well as welfare programmes in State", party spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said.
Reacting to the attacks, the minister tweeted, ‘’I condemn in the strongest terms to anti Adivasi mindset of BJD who have thrown eggs on me in Kendrapara.’’
Oram further alleged that he was not been provided with adequate security in the State. "Being a Union Minister, I have not been provided with required security. I will take the matter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh", he added demanding atrocity act against the attackers.
BJD MP Baijayant Panda also disliked such kind of protest. "Even for non Adivasi ppl, throwing things NOT ok, be they stones, eggs or footwear. Can cause harm. Thr are many acceptable ways to protest", he tweeted.
BJD, however, said the protest is an outcome of people’s anger out of Mahanadi dispute. “BJD doesn't believe in egg attack. Jual Oram may complain to Home Minister if he wishes so. It was people’s reaction on Mahanadi issue”, BJD spokesman Prashant Nanda said.
Meanwhile, Kendrapara police refused to register suo motu case on the incident. "We have not received any written complaint regarding the matter. We would investigate the matter if any FIR is lodged", additional SP Bikash Das said.
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on the other hand, condemned the incident and said there is no place for violence in democracy.
In latest development, BJP has lodged complaint against 22 persons in connection with the egg attack at the Aul police station.
On the other hand, activists of BJD’s youth wing took out a bike rally and burnt effigy of Union Minister VK Singh in front of Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar protesting his remark against the demand of Odisha for a Special Category Status (SCS).
“The BJP had promised to accord SCS to Odisha in its poll manifesto if voted to power. But, minister VK Singh’s statement exposed the real motive of his party. We grossly condemned it”, Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) president Sanjay Dasburma.
Later, a delegation led by Dasburma submitted a memorandum to Governor.