An MlA of the ruling BJD sustained head injuries after party members clashed during a meeting in Keonjhar district on Sunday.
With the panchayat elections fast approaching in the State, the incident did not augur well for the party.
Tekloi MlA Bedabyasa Nayak was attacked by some party workers during the meeting at Gundhichaghagi under Ghatagaon panchayat in the district. Following the assault, Nayak sustained injuries in his head and was rushed to Harichandanpur Community Health Centre (CHC). His condition was later stated to be stable.
According to sources, the party leaders and workers had organised the meeting to chalk out a strategy for the upcoming panchayat polls.
During the meeting, some workers had a heated exchange of words which later turned ugly. The differences of opinion led to a clash, in which the MlA was injured.
BJD district president Asish Chakraborty and other senior party leaders were present at the meeting.