As the stage is all set to hold the third International Day of Yoga on Wednesday, the ruling BJD and the Opposition BJP on Tuesday got engaged in a verbal duel over the celebrations.
While the BJP was organising the event at the Janata Maidan here, which would be inaugurated by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJD was preparing a programme at the Jayadev Bhawan here for the purpose.
However, like the MODI Fest, the BJD lashed out at the BJP for roping in some public sector undertakings for the yoga event too as sponsors.
Firing the first salvo, BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deo said it would have been better if the event would have been celebrated officially. But the BJP has turned it into a party affair and is organising it with the money of PSUs. This is sheer wastage of public money.
In reaction, BJP general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra said yoga celebrations should be widespread and welcomed by all instead of questioning who is holding it and where he is holding it.
It might be recalled that both the parties had organised separate functions for celebrating the Utkal Divas and the Odia New Year.