BJP sees red over ads congratulating MLAs for best legislator award

Bhubaneswar: BJP has sought clarification from the Sports and Youth Affairs department over advertisements published in newspapers by the Biju Yuva Bahini congratulating two ruling party legislators for being presented with best legislator award.

The party alleged that the purpose behind formation of the Biju Yuva Bahini is lost as money meant for development of the social values among youth is being spent on publicity of the ruling party leaders.

In a presser on Sunday, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said, "The Sports department should clarify why the Biju Yuva Bahini was formed. The advertisements published by the youth organisation are creating publicity for BJD leaders. The saffron party would launch agitation in coming days if a clarification is not given by the State government."

The Biju Yuva Bahini had given advertisements in newspapers congratulating Barchana MLA and government chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy and Brahmagiri MLA Sanjay Das Burma for being conferred with best legislators.

Earlier, the State had announced in the Assembly about formation of the Biju Yuva Bahini at panchayat and block level with an allocation of Rs 450.49 crore. The aim was to instil social values, leadership and sports qualities among youth. The government has plans to induct 8,000 youths in the Biju Yuba Bahini.

As per the scheme, youth clubs constituted under the programme will be provided with a one-time financial assistance of Rs 15,000 each.