The alleged noncooperation of Odisha BJP MPs in raising the withdrawal of heritage byelaws for two temples in Ekamra Kshetra with the Union Government triggered a fresh row on Saturday.
While a delegation of the BJD MPs met Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi and his deputy Arjun Ram Meghwal demanding withdrawal of the controversial bylaws framed by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) for Ananta Basudeb Temple and Brahmeswar Temple, BJP Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi refused to join the team.
Kendrapada BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty had requested her personally to become part of the delegation, but she declined, said Anubhav in a tweet.
On request of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, a delegation of BJD members met the Union Ministers in New Delhi over the issue seeking withdrawal of the NMA bye-laws for two ancient temples in Bhubaneswar like the Puri Shreemandir.
However, such an attitude of the Parliamentarian in a non-political issue for interest of the State dragged her into a controversy again.
Notably, the State Government and servitors of the Lingaraj Temple are demanding roll-back of the proposed draft notification that prohibits construction work around Ananta Basudeba and Brahmeswar Temples.
On Friday, the Chief Minister had demanded the Centre to withdraw the bylaws that would affect livelihoods of the Lingaraj Temple servitors.
Earlier, cutting across the party lines the Parliamentarians from Odisha had met Union Minister of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel for withdrawal of bye-laws for Puri Shreemandir following which the NMA rolled back the draft notification.