Nayagarh MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo said that instead of focusing on governance, the BJP is preoccupied with raising irrelevant issues that have no bearing on administration.
| Photo Credit: Twitter handle of Arun Kumar Sahoo
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday (January 13, 2025) demanded the cancellation of land allotted to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), alleging the regional party had violated the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s guidelines by opening a restaurant within its sprawling office premises.
The canteen, initially meant for party workers, was recently opened to the general public, and offers breakfast, and lunch meals at prices as low as ₹80.
In the wake of the BJD losing the Odisha Assembly election held in June 2024 after 24 years in power, the once bustling party office, with a sprawling built-up area of 122,546 square feet, saw a sharp decline in footfall. Located near the Biju Patnaik International Airport, the office is one of the most opulent spaces in Bhubaneswar. During the party’s reign, gaining entry into the building was no easy task as private security guards rigorously screened unfamiliar faces at the gates.
“I find the restaurant’s hygiene and food quality to be good. Moreover, we used to admire the swanky building from the outside. It’s an added bonus to now enjoy food inside an air-conditioned space that was once off-limits to most,” an office-goer said.
BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan questioned the opening of a restaurant on land allotted for office use only. He demanded the government immediately cancel the lease agreement.
“The BJP has stooped to cheap politics. Instead of focusing on governance, it’s preoccupied with raising irrelevant issues that have no bearing on administration. Running a canteen inside the party office does not violate any guidelines,” Nayagarh MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo said, responding to the controversy.
“Since its inception, the BJD has been a people-centric party. Every day, party functionaries discuss various issues. Where else are they supposed to have their meals? If members of the public accompany party workers, are we expected to turn them away? Canteens operate in Parliament and Railway offices, where the general public faces no restrictions in accessing food. Why should this be any different?” Mr. Sahoo said.
After the BJP came to power, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari had announced an examination of processes followed in order to allot a piece of prime land to the BJD for only ₹12.38 crore. The cost of the land could well be above ₹100 crore, as per the prevailing market price. The BJP also has been allotted a prime property in the heart of Bhubaneswar, upon which the ruling party has carried out construction.
Published – January 13, 2025 10:42 pm IST