A ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today courted controversy when his supporters carried him on their arms to cross a waterlogged area in Malkangiri district.
TV visuals today showed BJD MLA Manas Madkami from Malkangiri district being carried by his supporters to cross a water-logged stretch during his visit to Motu area in the district.
Two supporters of the MLA extended their arms and a Madkami crossed the ankle-deep water patch. The supporters said that they did this to save the MLA's expensive shoes from getting wet.
Madkami, however, said that it was his supporters love and affection. They feel elated when lifting and crossing the water body, the MLA said adding that he had not forced or paid anybody for crossing the water body.
The MLA had visited four panchayats of Motu area in the district to take stock of welfare projects.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)