Political blame game begins over Bhubaneswar airport tragedy that claimed one life

Bhubaneswar, Jan 25: Hours after death of a worker in building collapse in the premises of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here, the three major political parities in the state joined political blame game. One person was killed and another one injured after the roof of an under-construction building collapsed in the premises of BPIA last night. Meanwhile, police detained the managing director of Dilip Construction Private Limited, Dilip Khatoi, in connection with the collapse. Condemning the incident the BJP demanded a fair compensation to family members of the deceased. BJP leader Golak Mohapatra demanded a probe to find out the nexus between BJD leaders and the contractor. However, veteran Congress leader Sura Routray blamed the Union government for the mishap and demanded a CBI probe into the incident. The government is responsible for the tragedy for allowing sub-standard material that led to the collapse, he added. “We demand Rs 20 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased,” Routray said. On the other hand the ruling BJD played safe by demanding a thorough investigation and exemplary action against those responsible for this incident. “BJD does not believe in politicizing human tragedies and accidents like the BJP,” said Rajya Sabha member and party spokesperson Sasmit Patra. An unfortunate and preventable incident occurred last night at the airport and our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We demand that the deceased’s family is adequately compensated and proper treatment is given to the injured free of cost, he added. Unlike the BJP which has the habit of politicizing human tragedies and accidents, we do not believe in politicizing such incidents, he said criticising the BJP. However, BJP leader Golak Mohapatra said, "We have only demanded a fair probe into the building collapse incident and fair compensation to the victim's family. Why does BJD accuses us of politicising the tragedy ?" AAI will constitute a committee to inquire into the under-construction building collapse case, said Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) director VV Rao on Saturday.