KENDRAPARA: A day after resigning from the health minister post on moral grounds following the SUM Hospital fire mishap, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak reached his constituency, Mahakalpada, on Saturday and joined a motorcycle rally and public meeting in a show of strength.
The former minister was taken in a 20-km motorcycle procession to the meeting venue at Ramnagar village under Mahakalpada bock of the district where he addressed a gathering. Atanu said, “The State Government has announced compensation for the victims and ordered an investigation into the fire tragedy. Five persons, including owner of the hospital Manoj Nayak, have been arrested. The Government is determined to punish all persons responsible for the loss of human lives. I resigned owning moral responsibility. Nobody pressurised me to resign from the Ministry.”
“The development works in my constituency will continue even after my resignation. I will work for the victory of BJD candidates in the ensuing panchayat elections”, added Atanu.Atanu’s resignation has elicited mixed response in his constituency as well as the district. “We are shocked after learning about the resignation of Atanu. He took keen interest in our problems and was always sincere towards looking into our problems,” said Tusharkanta Sardar, a fisherman of Kharinashi village.
Chairperson of Mahakalpada block Sarojini Sethi said, “Atanu did many good works in our areas. We hope the Chief Minister again inducts him in his Cabinet”.
“It is a victory for us, but the matter should not stop here. The Chief Minister should also resign as both Naveen and Atanu are responsible for deaths in SUM Hospital. Atanu has clear nexus with Manoj Nayak, owner of the hospital as his wife works as a teacher in one of the educational institutions of Manoj Nayak”, said Sukant Dwivedy the president of the district unit of BJP.
Atanu’s resignation is a welcome move, though late. The Government wanted to protect him, but the situation has now gone out of control. All facts have come out and they could not suppress them. His resignation had became inevitable, said Akbar Ali, former chairman of Kendrapara municipality.