Union Ministers' convoy attack: BJP urges Governor to act

BJP today alleged that attack on the convoy of two Union ministers at Bargarh took place in the presence and "active collaboration" of the police and local administration and urged Governor S C Jamir to direct the state government to conduct an independent probe and bring the culprits to book.
"The police was in the know as BJD had given prior notice and even issued a press release as to their intentions. The plot was hatched by the ruling BJD before the proposed visit of a 'declared State Guest'," a memorandum submitted to Governor by BJP said.
An 11-member delegation of state BJP today met the Governor a day after convoy of two Union ministers Santosh Gangwar, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda's was attacked by BJD supporters at Bargarh.

Terming the incident as a heinous attack, BJP said this was a case of "extreme intolerance" and a "complete breakdown" of law and order in Odisha.
Stating that this is a gross violation of the federal system of India which believes that states and the Centre should work in tandem, BJP said the incident took place when the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for development of the state.
BJP in its memorandum alleged that the local MP and MLAs including minister Snehangini Chhuria planned this event and incited violence by BJD workers by giving provocative speeches like "We will not allow BJP ministers to enter the district".

"Though the police arrested the hooligans and local MLAs, they were later released without any action. This proves that it was a premeditated incident stage-managed by the police and local administration. This would not have been possible without political clearance and active directions from the BJD supremo," it said.

Reacting sharply to the police action on its activists,
senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra held the Director General of police and Bargarh Superintendent of Police for the incident and demanded action against them.
Another senior BJP leader Suresh Pujary alleged that the attack on the convoys of the union ministers was organised at the instruction from the chief minister's office.

Congress leaders, including former ministers Suresh Routray and Niranjan Patnaik, also mounted a scathing attack on the BJD government for yesterday's incident.
Terming it as 'unfortunate and unprecedented", Niranjan Patnaik asked the chief minister to apologise to the union ministers.
BJD, on its part, appeared to be on a defensive mode specially after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today called up Governor S C Jamir and Chief Minister Navin Patnaik and asked them to ensure safety and security of central leaders visiting the state.
The state party vice-president Prasanna Acharya held a press meet during the day and claimed that the attack on the Union ministers was not "pre-planned but spontaneous".

Claiming that BJD has not shown "disrespect" to any Union minister, he said the incident was a reflection of resentment brewing among the people of Bargarh, mostly farmers and weavers who have lost faith in the central government.
"Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several ministers visited the region no concrete steps has been taken to give succuor to the poor people. The incident was an angry reaction to false promises made by BJP leaders," Acharya alleged.