As fever of the ensuing three-tier panchayat elections is gripping the rural pockets, the BJP and BJD seem to be on a confrontation mode here.
The inauguration of some projects in Gopinathpur gram panchayat under Sadar block was stalled on Friday as tension erupted with a group of BJP supporters opposing the ignoring of local BJP MP Pratap Sarangi in the event. The MP’s name was neither mentioned on the plaque, nor was he invited to the function.
As a result, Sadar BJD MLA Swarup Das who went for inauguration of the projects to the site along with Block Chairman Narayan Pradhan had to return empty-handed.
Although the MP’s representative of the block, Susanta Bera tried to pacify the agitators, but in vain. Soon police rushed to the spot and took the situation under control, but the inauguration couldn’t take place as the plaque was broken by irate protesters, reports said.
The BJP supporters said that although the projects were made under the Central Government scheme, yet none from their party including MP, local ZP member, Sarpanch or even a ward member was invited to the event. Later, Bera lodged an FIR with police against the RWSS
Department alleging deliberate omission of names from the plaque.