Jagatsinghpur: A controversy has erupted after the district administration today dismantled a pandal erected by supporters of senior leader Damodar Rout for 'Ravan Podi Utsav' at the Anchalika Yuva Parishad ground in Erasama of Jagatsinghpur district.
As per reports, the district administration declined to give permission to supporters of Rout to organise 'Ravan Podi' function and dismantled the stage in presence of police. This year permission has been reportedly given to supporters of BJD's Balikuda-Erasama MLA Prashant Muduli to hold the function.
Sources said for the past 35 years Dama had been organising Ravana Podi at the Anchalika Yuva Parishad ground where Prashant used to attend the function. But, after Dama’s expulsion from BJD, he has been denied permission to hold the function.
Meanwhile, Dama alleged that the police acted at the behest of the legislator Prashant Muduli.
"After Prashant requested the administration, police dismantled the stage. When I asked the police, they said they are helpless as a phone call was made to them from the third floor. I believe the third floor is keeping a tab on where Ravana Podi can be held," said Dama.
Earlier yesterday, a peace committee meeting was held at the Erasama police station but no consensus was reached on organising the Ravana Podi Utsav at the ground.
Commenting on the matter BJD spokesperson, Samir Das said, "After being expelled from party, Damodar Rout is making up stories; there is no coherence between his work and words."