MALKANGIRI: As part of BJD’s campaign to connect with rural masses, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi accompanied by local MLA Manas Madkami and hundreds of party workers on Wednesday visited Maoist hotbeds of Matteru, Podia, Motu and Mallavaram areas to make people aware about the State Government’s welfare schemes.
During their visit to Motu, MLA Madkami stirred up a controversy after his supporters carried him across a waterlogged area in Motu. Two supporters of Madkami lifted him in their arms and crossed the ankle-deep water patch.
The supporters said they did this to save the MLA’s expensive shoes from getting wet. However, Madkami claimed that it was his supporters’ love and affection and said he had not forced or paid anybody for helping him.
During the day, the BJD leaders held a meeting with block level officials and took stock of various ongoing development projects. MP Majhi directed the officials to look into the grievances of the people.
The State Government has launched various welfare schemes and officials should ensure that the benefits of these plans reach the intended beneficiaries, he said.