Puri: Two groups of BJD supporters reportedly clashed with each other over sloganeering during a rally in Puri on Saturday.
The quarrel reportedly took place in the presence of BJD's Puri MP Pinaki Mishra, Minister Sameer Ranjan Dash and senior BJD leader and former Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty.
According to reports, hundreds of party supporters gathered to commemorate 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's visit to the pilgrim city. Some group of party supporters raised slogans of their party instead of Mahatma Gandhi. Another group opposed such slogan which led to the clash.
Party leaders, however, refuted any dispute among the supporters.
"Some were shouted slogans other than Mahatma Gandhi. I immediately stopped such slogans and suggested them to raise slogans on Mahatma Gandhi. There was small verbal exchange among the supporters. I am unaware of what happened exactly," Minister Sameer Ranjan Dash said.
Former Minister and senior BJD leader Maheswar Mohanty said, "No such incident has taken place. There might be some verbal duel due to heavy crowd. I will look into the matter."