SAMBALPUR: BJP workers on Friday gheraoed the town police station in the city protesting burning of a party flag by members of the ruling BJD. They also registered a police complaint and demanded arrest of the BJD members who were involved in the incident.
The BJD members led by State Executive Committee member Siddharth Das staged a demonstration at the Golebazar Chhack on Thursday demanding resignation of Union Minister of State for Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan for his alleged links with the prime accused in Vyapam scam. While burning the effigy of the Union Minister, they also allegedly burnt a BJP flag. The BJP members said it was undemocratic on the part of the ruling party workers.
Das, however, refuted the allegation and said there were several BJP flags at Golebazar Chhack and one of those could have caught fire during burning of the effigy.
In his reaction, district BJP president Nauri Naik said this step by the BJD workers reflects that they are threatened by the popularity of the saffron party in the State.
Defending his party workers, Sambalpur BJD president Rohit Pujari said they do not encourage burning of flag of any political party and the incident might be accidental.