BJD MP Chandrasekhar Sahu Slaps Party Worker On Stage, Draws Condemnation

Paralakhemundi: BJD's Berhampur MP Chandrasekhar Sahu landed in a controversy after he lost his cool and slapped a party worker on stage during a BJD meeting at Paralakhemundi of Gajapati district on Tuesday.

The act of the former union minister and sitting MP slapping the party worker was caught on camera and the video of the incident subsequently went viral on social media platforms triggering strong criticism from several quarters.

According to sources, Sahu had gone to attend BJD's Extended Executive Meeting in Paralakhemundi and was felicitated on stage by several party workers when he suddenly lost his temper and gave a tight slap to former Gajapati District Youth Congress president Sangram Sahu who recently joined BJD.

As the video of the incident started doing rounds on social media, leaders of political parties and intellectuals condemned Sahu for his misbehaviour.

BJP general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra criticised Sahu over the incident saying that the parliamentarian's 'outrageous' and 'shameful' conduct has brought disgrace to Odisha.

"A former Union Minister & a sitting Parliamentarian (Berhampur MP) slaps a fan in full public view. Hasn't he brought disgrace to #Odisha with such outrageous and shameful conduct? Hope everyone is watching!" he tweeted.

Senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty said, "It seems CM Naveen Patnaik's 5T mantras to his party leaders to maintain clean image and better public rapport with good behaviour are failing. Slapping incident of Sahu is a glaring example of how sometimes elected leaders demean the very people which chose them. CM Naveen should take this matter seriously and take noticeable action because scripting of new rules will not any impact until people's representatives show good character.

However, surprisingly, BJD member Sangram Sahu clarified that the parliamentarian did not slap him but rather chided him with a gentle touch just like an elder brother.

"I had gone to the meeting yesterday to formally join BJD after leaving from the youth president post of the district Congress. I did not know that BJD party observer was there. When he inducted me into the party by putting a scarf on my neck, I declined since I wanted it from the MP who I have known for many years. In fact, it is also due to his blessings that I joined BJD, so I don’t consider the incident as an insult,” said Sahu.

Later in the day, while speaking to OTV, Sahu said, "Being such a senior leader, I shouldn't have lost my cool. I regret my behaviour as such an incident had never happened in last 40-45 years of my political career."

"Being such a senior leader, I shouldn't have lost my cool. I regret my behaviour as such an incident had never happened in last 40-45 years of my political career," says #BJD's Berhampur MP Chandrashekhar Sahu #Odisha pic.twitter.com/VwE1F1jXb3

— OTV (@otvnews) September 25, 2019