Bhubaneswar, July 3: As the OAS & ORS Officers across the state stood firm on their protest and ceasework so far following the assault of BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu, the alleged BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan landed in the soup.
Although he pleaded of his no connivance with the criminal intimidation relating to the OAS Officer, the OAS Association alleged his unseen hand behind the matter.
Taking stock of the matter, the state government ordered arrest of five accused in this connection, who were reportedly BJP workers, according to police report. Subsequently, the state BJP suspended them on charges of indiscipline whereas Jagannath Pradhan was summoned by the state BJP President Manmohan Samal, to the BJP headquarters office on Wednesday for discussion in this connection. However, Jagannath returned home following the meeting that raised eyebrows of the OAS Association including the BMC official. While they were almost agreed with the government to revoke their mass leave and ceasework across the state, Jagannath’s free movement intensified the issue and the OAS Association remained adamant on their demands.Meanwhile, office works across the state including the State Secretariat was disrupted due to the mass leave of the OAS officers, with the call of the federation.
Despite the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister’s appeal the OAS officers stuck to their demand centering arrest of Jagannath Pradhan, allegedly the man behind the issue.
On the other hand, Jagannath Pradhan took to Social media and pleaded his innocence regarding the matter. However, he posted on his X account that he will prove his non-connivance with the matter respecting and co-operating the law in every way.
According to the recent report, Pradhan has been to the DCP office in Bhubaneswar.
With his presence before the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the evening, Political Pundits speculate that Pradhan might surrender before the police to prove his no-role with the vandalism took place in the BMC office and the manhandle of the Additional Commissioner by some handful BJP workers.
However, comment of Jagannath Pradhan and the BJP State Office as well in this connection is yet awaited.
Worth mentioning, the incident follows mounting tension within the administrative services after Ratnakar Sahoo was physically assaulted, allegedly during an altercation at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office.
