Saswat Singhdeo

Paradip: A war of words broke out between senior leader Damodar Rout and State Health Minister & BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena during the inauguration ceremony of Kalinga Baliyatra in Paradip yesterday.

During the ceremony, Rout took a dig at the State minister, who was also present on the dais.

"I thank Jena babu for coming to Paradip and his door-to-door visits but first he should set his own house in order," Rout said.

Responding to Rout's comments, the State minister said that if someone is getting happy by criticising another person then he should be allowed to do so.

"Someone who has more knowledge, wisdom, and decency is indulging in political criticism on a cultural stage. If that person is deriving happiness by criticising someone, let him do that," Jena said.

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During the function, one of the wheels of Lord Jagannath's Nandighosh chariot was brought to the bali yatra ground and was placed at the Sarala mandap.

Meanwhile, devotees of Lord Jagannath have expressed dissatisfaction over the placing of the wheel on an open ground.

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