Bhubaneswar:BJP stirred the hornet’s nest by describing Tuesday’s incident involving the idol of Lord Balabhadra as a minor accident and god’s wish, drawing backlash from the opposition BJD and Congress.
“It was a minor accident. It should be treated as a divine play exhibited by the deity himself. Nothing can happen without the god’s wish,” law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said.He added that he has submitted a preliminary report on the incident to chief minister Mohan Majhi.
Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who along with Harichandan rushed to Puri to oversee the situation on Tuesday, corroborated the law minister’s remarks. “It was Leelamaya’s Leela (an act of god). The incident happened as per the god’s will. The god saved the servitors, who escaped unhurt,” said Parida.
BJD came down heavily on BJP over the remarks of Harichandan and Parida. “Instead of trying to find out the causes of the unpardonable mistake, the deputy chief minister and law minister made very irresponsible remarks,” BJD leader and Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das told journalists.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati flayed BJP too. “The BJP made Jagannath a key poll issue before elections. After forming the govt, they do not seem to have gauged the seriousness of the incident. The govt cannot escape from its failure of managing the Rath Yatra by terming the mishap as god’s act. Accountability must be fixed and action taken against those responsible,” Bahinipati said.
BJP asked the opposition to refrain from politicizing the issue. “Jagannath temple witnessed many crisis situations during BJD govt’s tenure. BJD should rather focus on its own organization and Sulochana should concentrate on BMC matters,” BJP spokesperson Biranchi Tripathy said.
“The law minister has already said steps are being taken to ensure conduct of the ensuing Bahuda Yatra and Niladri Bije in a more disciplined manner. The govt is committed to the smooth management of Jagannath temple,” another BJP leader said.

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