Even as the controversy over the assault on Kendrapada BJD MP Baijayant Panda by supporters of Mahanga MlA and law Minister Pratap is still raging, two rival groups of BJD workers clashed at a meeting at Bissamcuttack in Rayagada district on Friday.
Sources said the clash broke out following a heated altercation between the two groups. The party supporters hurled chairs at each other and exchanged blows as the leaders remained mute spectators.
The workers blamed the party leaders for turning a blind eye to their woes and indulging in mere political rhetoric. Senior leaders of the party lalbihari Himrika and Bhaskar Rao were also present at the meeting.
The incident has again brought to the fore the internal bickering and factionalism in the ruling party. Notably, Dasburma is the BJD’s observer for Rayagada district and has been given responsibility to boost the party’s fortunes in the region.