Utkal Bharat president and former MP Kharabela Swain was abused and manhandled allegedly by miscreants at a public meeting at Kashipur in the district on Saturday.
Swain alleged that he was manhandled by BJD supporters as he spoke on the irregularities committed by the ruling party.
He shared the video of the incident on his account in Facebook.
He alleged that though he had apprised the Kashipur police about the meeting, no security was provided to him.
Though the BJD denied its involvement in the incident, opposition parties’ leaders strongly condemned the attack on Swain.
OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik Twitted, “Strongly condemn the attack on former MP Shri Kharabela Swain.”
“Violence has no place in a democracy.”
BJP State vice-president Sameer Mohanty said, “The incident proves double standards of Naveen Patnaik, who on one hand preaches nonviolence while on the other such violent attacks are being perpetrated regularly.”
On the other hand, refuting the involvement of BJD, party MP N Bhaskar Rao said, “I condemn the attack as everyone has a right to speak. There’s no involvement of BJD in the attack.”
Meanwhile, Rayagada SP informed that one of the accused, Sumant Nayak, was arrested.
“Investigation is underway and strict action will be taken against all those involved in assaulting the former MP.”