Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Apr 14: Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Pranab Balabantaray was attacked in broad daylight on Sunday in Odisha’s Jajpur district, triggering a political storm and prompting strong criticism from BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, who questioned the law and order situation under the BJP-led state government.

Balabantaray was on his way to Aruha village in Dharmasala to attend a religious function when unidentified miscreants, allegedly armed with wooden and bamboo sticks and sharp weapons, attacked his vehicle. The incident took place despite prior warning, the former MLA claimed.

“When I left Bhubaneswar, I had received information that something like this might happen. I even alerted the Jajpur SP. Yet, the attack happened in the presence of the police. This is shameful,” Balabantaray stated.

Reacting sharply, Naveen Patnaik took to social media platform ‘X’, saying, “The attack on young BJD leader and former Dharmasala MLA Pranab Balabantaray has exposed the deteriorating law and order in the state. If elected representatives are unsafe, what about the common man?”

He further accused the BJP government of inaction and partisan governance, stating that such an environment was emboldening anti-social elements. “Strict action must be taken immediately instead of encouraging political violence,” Patnaik demanded.

The BJD alleged that the attackers were BJP workers and supporters of Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, demanding their immediate arrest. However, the Dharmasala MLA denied any involvement of his associates and claimed the incident was the result of a clash between two BJD factions.

Police officials from Jenapur rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. An investigation into the incident is underway.