PARLAKHEMUNDI:The famous Gajapati Palace here, which has a rich historical significance and played a vital role during formation of separate Odisha State, for the first time hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons on Sunday. Following reports that former MP and successor of Gajapati Dynasty Maharaja Gopinath Gajapati has been kept under house arrest and not allowed to meet anyone, including his relatives, allegedly by the manager of the palace, and his health condition stated to be critical, hundreds of people of the town on Sunday forced their way into the heritage building. Cutting across party lines, leaders of BJD, BJP and Congress, including local MLA K Surya Rao, visited the palace. “The condition of Gajapati is critical and he needs treatment in a super-specialty hospital immediately. Gajapati is unable to speak and write. He is simply sitting like a statue on a chair,” said former district president of BJD Basant Das after visiting the palace.
Demanding action against manager of the palace Kanakamanjari Patro, Rao said the Gajapati has not been given proper care by the palace officials. Taking advantage of Gajapati’s health condition, Patro has misappropriated property and misused her power. A thorough investigation into the affairs of the palace over the last 10 years is required, he demanded. Members of Parlakhemundi Suraksha Committee, led by district BJP president G Venkat Ravana, Basant Das, Rajendra Behera, Babula Behera, Town Congress president Basant Panda and president of District Bar Association P Prasad Rao, lodged an FIR at Parlakhemundi police station over the issue.
On the other hand, locals resorted to road blockade near the palace demanding immediate treatment to Gajapati Maharaja and removal of the manager from the palace. CDMO Dr N Kora said a team of doctors has visited the palace and examined the Maharaja. Doctors have advised that he be shifted to a hospital for better treatment, he added. Sub-Collector Anam Charan Patro said since it is private property, the administration has limited role. However, it is in touch with the younger brother of Gajapati, and his daughter, who stays in Chennai. Later, the Sub-Collector announced that the Maharaja will be shifted to Visakhapatnam on Sunday night and then to Chennai. The palace will remain closed till the Maharaja returns from the hospital, he added. Patro, however, refuted the allegations levelled against her and said Gajapati is undergoing treatment in a hospital at Chennai and there is no misappropriation of property.