Odisha: BJP-BJD engage in verbal duel over sharing of stage at PM’s event in Bhadrak

Bhubaneswar: Noisy scenes were witnessed over a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader getting on to the dais during the foundation laying ceremony of several infrastructure projects at Odisha’s Bhadrak railway station today.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders objected to the presence of BJD leader and former Dhamnagar MLA Muktikanta Mandal on the stage citing protocol violation.

BJP leader Abhimanyu Sethi, who had unsuccessfully contested from Bhadrak Lok Sabha seat in 2019, questioned Mandal’s attendance on the podium.

Mandal was seen standing near his wife Manjulata Mandal, the BJD MP from Bhadrak, at the podium during the ceremony.

“This is a government programme. No one should try to make it as their family event. There is a protocol for attendance of guests and people’s representatives at any government programme. All of us should strictly obey that protocol,” said Sethi, the son of former BJD leader Arjun Charan Sethi.

The BJP leader also urged the officials concerned to ensure smooth organization of the ceremony by adhering to the protocol.

Countering the BJP leader, Mandal asked him to check the list of invitees to the event.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid foundation stones for redevelopment of 21 railway stations, including that of Bhadrak, in Odisha through videoconference today.