Opp seeks CM resignation over N'kalebar issue

Opposition members on Wednesday demanded Chief Minister’s resignation alleging massive irregularities in project works, fixing in Daru selection and Brahma Parivartan Mahabibhrat during the grand Nabakalebar festival concluded in July at Puri. Participating in a discussion on an Adjournment Motion on the issue in the Assembly, BJP and Congress MlAs accused the State Government of fund misappropriation and hurting sentiments of lakhs of devotees by delaying Brahma Paribartan, the most sacred and secret ritual of the Shreemandir.

BJP legislature Party leader Basant Panda said the State Government completely failed in conducting the Nabakalebar festival in smooth a manner and due to the mismanagement, centuries’ old tradition of Brahma Paribartan of lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan at night was broken and conducted in daytime.

Besides, hundreds of stray bulls were killed under captivity as the Government did not provide fodders to them. The Government falsely announced completion of the sewerage system while 40 per cent of the work is yet to be done.The irregularities in project works, fixing of Daru and inordinate delay in Brahma Parivartan have hurt sentiments of lakhs of lord Jagannath devotees. The Chief Minister should be blamed for all this and should resign on moral grounds, he demanded.

On the other hand, law Minister Arun Sahoo claimed that the Nabakalebar festival was a great success and lakhs of devotees from across the world peacefully visited the Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Sunavesha and other rituals.He said the Government had made all arrangements for which 50 lakh devotees smoothly could visit the Ratha Yatra and enjoyed the event. Two Daitapatis had been suspended by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for Brahma Paribartan delay, which was later upheld by the High Court.

Earlier on the day, Speaker Niranjan Pujari had adjourned the House at 10.33 am as Opposition members staged a dharna in the Well of the House demanding reconsideration of expunging of certain speeches made by them in the House over the former DG Prakash Mishra case. When the House reassembled, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra urged the Speaker to reconsider his Tuesday’s ruling on the former DG case. To this, Speaker Pujari said he gave the ruling after examining rules and procedures and hence, his ruling is infallible. However, he assured to supply the part of proceedings expunged to the leader of Opposition.  In the afternoon session, discussion was held on the Odisha land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill, 2015.