Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main Opposition party in Odisha, has sought a judicial enquiry into the alleged mismanagement in this year’s Ratha Jatra at Puri.

A delegation of the Naveen Patnaik-led party today met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at the Raj Bhawan in the capital city here and summitted a memorandum in this regard.

In its memorandum, the BJD delegation urged the Governor to take the necessary steps for initiation of a judicial enquiry into the alleged mismanagement in the annual mega event at Odisha’s Puri town.

The regional party also argued that the probe must be monitored by a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court.

The regional party has alleged severe mismanagement and serious administrative lapses in the organisation of this year’s Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath.

According to BJD, the Chief Minister and other ministers had held multiple preparatory meetings ahead of this year’s Ratha Jatra. The state government has also formed a high-level ministerial committee under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister to oversee the arrangements for the mega event.

In spite of all these, unprecedented mismanagement came to the fore as the Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath could not be pulled till 7.45 pm on the occasion of Ratha Jatra on July 27, said the party in its memorandum.

As per the allegations, the BJP government in Odisha issued as many as 10,000 cordon passes to the supporters of the ruling party. The heavy congregation near the three chariots led to severe chaos.

The Opposition party further alleged that as many as 750 devotees were injured during the Ratha Jatra. Besides, three devotees were killed and several others were injured in a stampede near the Srigundicha temple on July 29.

The BJD also highlighted that the state government is yet to form a managing committee for the 12th century shrine even though the tenure of the last temple panel ended eight months ago.