In an embarrassment to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the heart of the capital city, Youth Congress activists hurled eggs and showed black flags at his cavalcade near the Keshari Talkies while he was on his way to the Utkal University to attend its Students' Union function on Thursday afternoon. A group of youths led by Youth Congress State president Rajat Choudhury wearing black badges in heads and raising anti-Naveen slogans all of a sudden came in front of the CM's cavalcade and intercepted it for a few minutes taking the security personnel into a tizzy.
Unable to overpower the protesters, police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the mob. Meanwhile, the police arrested two Youth Congress leaders from the Unit VI area. However, security personnel managed to escort the CM by dispersing the activists on the road. According to reports, there were no intelligence inputs about the preplanned protest action.
"During 14 years of his rule, Naveen Patnaik has done nothing for the unemployed youths. More eggs and shoes will be hurled at him during his visits to the districts," warned Youth Congress president Rajat Choudhury. Earlier in 2013, activists of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), an organisation fighting for the cause of farmers, had blocked the CM's cavalcade near the Secretariat alleging the State Government's apathetic attitude towards farmers.
Notably, Patnaik for the first time after becoming the Chief Minister attended the annual day function of the Utkal University this year after the ruling BJD's supporters wrested the control of the Students' Union ending Congress dominance of two decades.