The Delhi Chalo mission of Rourkela idol maker Muktikanta Biswal to remind PM Narendra Modi of his promises of Brahmani bridge and super specialty hospital in the city has triggered a row.
While Muktikanta has received support and sympathy from the youths of Rourkela who burnt the effigy of Sundargarh MP and Union Tribal Affair Minister Jual Oram for his branding the campaigner as Congress-sponsored, Rourkela BJP MlA Dilip Ray has been all praise for the youth and declared to join Muktikant in a Padayatra from IGH to Brahmani river to throw his support for him.
The BJP on the other hand has been on a back foot as Muktikant had alleged that Minister Oram’s response to him on reaching Delhi was not encouraging and that the Minister showed his noncooperation towards him in facilitating a meeting with the PM.
Notably, Biswal had gone all through walking from Rourkela to Delhi covering more than 1,350 km to remind the PM of his promises he had made three years back regarding the second Brahmani Bridge and upgrading IGH to a medical college and super specialty hospital as the twin projects are still to see the light of the day.
Instead of encouraging Biswal, Oram not only denied to help him for meeting with the PM but said Biswal’s journey was politically biased and not required at all.
But when Oram’s remark to Biswal spread here it triggered resentment among the youths. The aggrieved youth masses not only urged apology from the Union Minister but also alleged that Oram was anti development and burnt his effigy.
While local BJP is trying to overcome the crisis, its senior party leader and Rourkela MlA Dilip Ray added fuel to the fire.
In his reaction through social media, he said that time and again he emphasised on the fact that the demand of second bridge over Brahmani and upgradation of IGH are deeply attached with the emotions of the people of Sundargarh district and more particularly of Rourkela city.
Muktikant , a boy from his constituency who walked 1,350 kms for 71 days, with a bag on his back and the national flag in his hand for these two issues is a vivid illustration of this fact, he said. Ray went to his house and expressed his gratitude to his parents. He saluted Muktikanta’s indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment for his city Rourkela that encouraged him to undertake the tough journey.
“But it is really saddening to see that many are terming it to be a sponsored one. No one is going to walk a distance of 1,300-1,400 km even if it is sponsored and this is entirely unacceptable and such irresponsible comments should have been avoided in the first place itself,” Ray said.
He further mentioned that once Muktikant returns from Delhi, he himself will join him on this issue and undertake a "Padayatra" from IGH to Brahmani bridge.
The reaction among the youths and comments of Ray not only put Oram and his party in trouble but also forced the leaders to go for damage control. Party’s State secretary Dhiren Senapaty and local District Committee president Jagabandhu Behera briefing to Press here on Friday said that Oram had given appropriate hospitality to Muktikant and tried to put the facts and figures regarding the present status of both the projects. But certain people with vested political interest are misinterpreting it to defame Oram and the party, they alleged.
