The issue of Jharsuguda MlA Naba Das’ ‘objectionable’ video watching in the State Assembly has created a battle-like situation in Jharsuguda with ruling BJD and Opposition Congress holding rallies to show up each other.
On Tuesday, thousands of BJD leaders and workers took out a rally from the Manmohan ME School to the Jharsuguda Collectorate holding banners and shouting slogans against Das. WODC Chairman and district BJD president Kishore Mohanty and Odisha lift Irrigation Corporation ltd Chairman Anup Kumar Sai criticised Das for ‘his shameful act.
Alleging that Das has brought embarrassment of Jharsuguda people, they demanded that the Assembly Speaker should take stringent action against him after Ethics Committee report comes out.
Among others, Manoranjan Mohapatra, Tapas Rai Choudhury, Trinath Gual and Sadhana Samantrai were present.
In contrast, the Congress held a rally in the lakhanpur area of the district opposing suspension of Das.
Hundreds of Congress leaders and workers reached the lakhanpur block office and staged a protest there.
They raised slogans against MlA Pramila Mallick, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik and WODC Chairman Kishore Mohanty and their effigies in protest.
Former lakhanpur block Chairman Sanat Singh said the ruling BJD has made a conspiracy to tarnish the image of their MlA Das.
“Das has been targeted as he exposed mining scam and opposed farmer suicides massively,” he said and dared the BJD to undertake a probe and prove the allegation against Das.
leaders like Pintu Padhi, Subrat Pradhan, Surendra Padhy, Debasis Pradhan, Jyoti Mishra and Sradhanjali Pradhan addressed the gathering.
The district administration made extensive police arrangements to maintain law and order at both the rallies.