The recent overhead water tank project inauguration row in Mahanga in Cuttack district saw another development with some BJD workers led by Nischintakoili block chairperson Sabita Ojha meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Naveen Niwas here on Sunday and lodging complaints against Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda.
Ojha alleged that the MPLAD funds are not being properly utilised by the MP in his constituency. Besides, she alleged that the MP is not in touch with a single leader of the constituency for the last four years.
The Chief Minister said, “Some people of Mahanga came to meet me. I am aware of their allegations. I will look into it.”
However, the MP’s political secretary Jyoti Prakash Ghose said MPLAD funds are allotted as per the need of the people. There are no guidelines for allocation of the funds.
Regarding some BJD workers skipping the MP’s inauguration of the water tank project, Ghose said before the inauguration, invitations had been sent to the all the concerned people. But due to some reason or other, they did not attend the function.
Notably, during the project inauguration, Ojha along with some women activists had held a silent dharna at the Nischintkoili bazaar alleging negligence of the party workers by the MP.