Though the fate of the Rourkela Municipal Corporation elections is still uncertain due to the High Court’s stay over the election process but there seems to be no end to the confrontationist attitude of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here. Since BJP stalwart Dilip Ray won as the MlA from Rourkela constituency defeating BJD stalwart Sarada Nayak, a cold war between the two parties has started. The situation was aggravated when Ray breaking all previous traditions celebrated the Biju Jayanti and installed the tallest statue of the legendary leader this year. Going one step ahead, Ray demanded Bharat Ratna for Biju Babu and also declared to write a book on the former Chief Minster to unmask the Biju loyalists.
Now, the BJD and BJP are trying to take credit for any development works undertaken in Rourkela. Sometimes the district administration has been put in ugly situation. A similar situation occurred here on Thursday evening over the inauguration of lED street light system at Madhusudan Marg here. The project was to be inaugurated by Rourkela MlA Ray and accordingly the inaugural stone was fixed up. But when the local BJD opposed it, RMC Commissioner DP Mohaptra tried to defer the programme. However, Ray inaugurated it in absence of the Commissioner.
While justifying the opposition to the inauguration by Ray, BJD said for the development of the city the State Government has been providing fund. Besides, special Chief Minister’s grant is also coming. But instead of expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister and the State Government, the BJP is misleading the public that the development works are the contribution of Ray.
In reply, the BJP said the BJD is disturbed over the growing popularity of Ray and the BJP. That is why, it was making cheap politics. There is no problem in inaugurating any development project by Ray because he is the MlA of Rourkela. Secondly, the particular project was constructed with BRG Fund, said BJP sources, alleging that rather BJD and RMC conspired not to invite Ray to the ‘Aahar’ inauguration and local self governance day celebration.
On the contrary, a RMC official on condition of anonymity said due to the tug of war between BJD and BJP, many development projects are either not taken up or delayed. It may be noted here that due to gathering of BJD and BJP workers in RMC premises on Thursday for hours over the street light inauguration issue, the official works were hampered. In another significant development, addressing party workers at Fertilizer Township here, Ray said the BJD days were counted.