Bhubaneswar: Once again, eggs were thrown at senior leader Damodar Rout during a public meeting at Niali in Cuttack district today. The fresh incident comes in the wake of a series of similar incidents where several other leaders including former Kendrapara MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda and Utkal Bharat party chief Kharavela Swain were also attacked in the past.
Many believe that a disconcerting pattern seems to be emerging out of such attacks as the victims are the ones, who have been -in one way or the other- alleged corruption, irregularities and mismanagement in State government & the ruling party.
Earlier also, attempts were made to create ruckus during senior BJD leader Damodar Rout’s public meeting held in Baripada and today eggs were thrown during his public meeting at Niali in Cuttack district.
Similarly, attempts were made to derail former MP Baijayant Panda’s event in Talcher recently while Utkal Bharat party chief Kharavela Swain was allegedly manhandled during a public meeting at Aul in Kendrapara yesterday.
“The government is dipped in corruption and BJD wants to suppress people who are raising their voices. Everybody knows all such things are being done by VK Pandian and why CM is holding his post if he is unable to take action?” said Rout.
It is being said that the ruling BJD which is already being run by the third floor officer and a coterie is behind such strategies to suppress the anti-corruption voices.
According to observers, those who are raising their voices against corruption or targeting CM Naveen Patnaik are now being attacked. The leaders, who have been victims of such cheap tactics, are now openly targeting Odisha government.
“They (BJD) have become intolerant and party activists are creating ruckus to please their leaders,” said Swain.
Alleging that Odisha is now facing an emergency-like situation, former Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda tweeted,” There seems to be growing intolerance towards anyone who is raising voice against the '3rd Floor'.”
“Biju Patnaik’s name is being maligned. Biju Goonda Vahini has been created to harass and attack other political leaders and parties. People of Odisha should raise their voices against such activities,” added Panda.
Speculations are now rife whether the change in the BJD’s strategy is a planned move to divert the people’s attention from Cyclone Titli mismanagement and casualties or it is a ploy to counter the anti-corruption wave that is threatening the government?
Earlier, BJD was accusing both BJP and Congress of resorting to violence when it came to registering dissent. Whether BJD is now following the same path and whether such strategy has the consent of supremo Naveen Patnaik or being done by a coterie within the party is something that has left many pondering?