Jagatsinghpur, Apr 5: A controversy is doing the rounds upon the speech said by the newly-elected deputy chairman of the Odisha State Planning Board, Bishnu Das at the Jagatsinghpur Zilla Mahotsav ‘Kallolla’. The Congress protested on streets yesterday alleging that Das has made a political speech. The opposition members demonstrated ahead of the Collectors office here and burnt the effigy of the former parliamentarian. Das’ speech was that he predicted that his party, BJD will be winning four Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. On the other hand, Jagatsinghpur municipality vice chairperson, Biplab Choudhary lettered to the Collector for an investigation. In his letter, he questioned that being a cultural event, how could a political leader lead the festival and on top of that the prediction of winning the seats in the upcoming elections has hurt the Odisha citizens here. Allegations were also made that the conch blowers who were roped in for the cultural rally of the event were wearing outfits with BJD’s party symbol. But Das has declined these allegations saying that he never mentioned about BJD.
Also Read Cuttack, Feb 12: Protesting against illegal liquor sale at Baigana slum in Kathojodi Vihar, over 100 locals, including women, ransacked two illegal liquor units here on Friday morning. According to reports, some youths of the slum sustained injuries in a tussle with the liquor seller on Thursday night. Following the incident, the locals staged a dharna in front of the Markat Nagar police station today demanding eviction of the two country liquor factories from the locality. The locals reportedly ransacked the liquor factories after failing to extract an assurance from the police. “The liquor seller attacked some youth of the slum with sharp weapons and beer bottles. He is always thrashing the locals. So we today ransacked the liquor shops,” said an agitating woman. “I have complained to the Inspector in Charge (IIC) of Markat Nagar police station many times about the illegal liquor sale in the locality. But instead of taking any action, police have encouraged the illegal liquor sale in the area. I will bring this matter to DCP’s notice if the IIC does not take any action to make the area liquor free,” said Giribala Behera, Corporator of the ward.
