Bhadrak: Rift cropped up between two BJD factions in Chandbali block of Bhadrak district ahead of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's visit to the block on Saturday. Members of one of the groups allegedly attacked the other group and ransacked several vehicles.
According to sources, members of one of the groups took out a massive rally, in over 300 vehicles, amidst sloganeering against Chandbali MLA Byomkesh Ray ahead of CM Naveen's visit to the block.
Meanwhile, members of the other group ransacked a vehicle used in the rally for not putting up the poster of MLA Ray on it and allegedly thrashed the supporter.
"The supporters of Chandbali legislator asked us to get down from the vehicle questioning the absence of the Ray's pamphlet on the vehicle. They also thrashed us," alleged a BJD worker.
On the other hand, MLA Byomkesh Ray alleged that the other group is in nexus with the BJP and he has no knowledge of any party workers being thrashed by his supporters. "The members of the other group are part of the BJP. After being dismissed from the party by CM Naveen for their involvement in anti-party activities, they often resort to such activities," said Ray.
Later, members of the other group staged protest at Bhadrak-Chandbali Digchia Chhak and held back the vehicle of BJD MP Arjun Charan Sethi seeking his intervention into the incident.