Political fight between BJD, BJP over Utkal Divas celebration

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the celebration of the Utkal Divas on Saturday, ruling BJD and the BJP are leaving no stone unturned to outperform each other in celebrating the day.

For the first time, the ruling BJD would celebrate the day at district level. Ministers and Zilla Parishad members will attend the programmes at district level while the Chief Minister will join the celebration at Bhubaneswar.

Singing and dancing stars like Rituraj, Sonam and Harihar would come together to perform in a cultural programme at Utkal Mandap here on the occasion.

To give a tough competition to the BJD, the BJP is going to organize Bhavya Samaroh in Bhubaneswar that will be attended by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Radhamohan Singh. A musical program will also be held at Janta Maidan here, where people of Odisha would witness the live concert of Bollywood playback singer Udit Narayan. The two Ministers would later visit Angul to attend a programme.

BJP Spokesman Golakh Mohapatra said, "Everyone has the right to celebrate the day. While we are planning to observe the day, the BJD is following us. This shows the ruling party has neglected the state for the last 17 years."