BJP, BJD workers face off during meeting in Odisha’s Banki

Tension prevailed outside Banki Panchayat Samiti Office as workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) came face to face on Tuesday while the panchayat samiti meeting was underway.

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According to sources, even before the meeting began, supporters of Banki MLA Debi Ranjan Tripathy and BJP workers gathered outside the Block Office, raising slogans. This led to a brief but tense situation in front of the block premises, with slogan-shouting from both sides.

Inside the conference hall, the Panchayat Samiti meeting was about to commence when the MLA was being welcomed by BJD workers. The block chairperson and Block Development Officer (BDO) greeted him with bouquets.

At the same time, BJP workers outside the office raised slogans, leading to counter-slogans and heightened tension.

Sensing the growing crowd and palpable unrest, Banki Police rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control and dispersed the workers from both sides. The meeting later continued inside the Panchayat Samiti conference hall.

However, expressing displeasure over the developments, the BJD MLA allegedly left the Panchayat Samiti meeting midway.

No comments were received from local police or the MLA in this regard.