Bhubaneswar: MP Baijayant Panda today came down heavily on BJD activists for their hooliganism during the ‘Hak Pain Hartal’ protest against fuel price rise and termed it as shameful.
He took to Twitter stating that such hooliganism during the protest is condemnable and disgraceful and action should be taken against the protestors.
“Shameful. I dissociate from & condemn this (I can't on party's behalf since I'm no longer the spokesperson). These goons must face action (sic),” he tweeted.
Condemning BJD protestors stopping an ambulance during the ‘hartal’ even though the party had claimed that it would exclude emergency services from the protest, Panda said he is ashamed and angered by such violent acts by the party workers. He said the people of the state, who are affected by the fuel price rise, were severely inconvenienced by the stir.
“This isn't the party I assisted NP to found 20yrs ago. I'm ashamed & angered by this. Biju babu wd've been too. Armchair strategists must go,” Panda tweeted.
Also Read: BJD’s ‘Hartal’ Turns Violent, Public Inconvenienced
Moreover, the parliamentarian also tweeted a 2010 picture of BJD members carrying out a peaceful protest referring it as ‘real BJD’ and said “Heads must roll” for today’s anti-people hooliganism.
On the other hand, replying to Baijayant's tweets, BJD spokesperson Prashant Nanda said "20 years ago Naveen was the president of the party; he still is. Nothing has changed except loyalty of some party members."
Violence was reported from several places in the twin city with activist of the ruling party vandalizing vehicles and even misbehaving with public, including women and journalists. At some places, even ambulances carrying patients were stopped.