Attack Bid On Niranjan Patnaik: Odisha Congress Chief Takes U-Turn, Alleges BJP’s Involvement

Bhubaneswar: A day after categorically denying any political motive behind the alleged assault try on him, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik on Monday termed the act ‘a handiwork of the BJP’.
In a collection of tweets, the PCC chief claimed the miscreants who tried to hold out an assault on his car in Keonjhar on Sunday night time had been members of BJP’s youth wing and stated this was a transparent case of political vendetta and desperation of Odish BJP.
“Last night, on my way to Keonjhar, my car was attacked by miscreants. They thrashed my driver and PSO. An FIR was lodged with the police. I was shocked to know that the miscreants were members  of  BJP’s Youth Wing,” Patnaik wrote.

OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik alleges BJP youth wing’s involvement within the assault bid on him in Keonjhar #Odisha pic.twitter.com/AuwsKTA2DW
— OTV (@otvnews) January 18, 2021

“This is a clear case of political vendetta and desperation of Odisha BJP. Congress is raising relevant issues in the State and speaking out against the policies of BJP, which is desperately trying to get a foothold in Odisha. Congress is the biggest hurdle for them,” he wrote in his verified twitter deal with.
Condemning the assault, the Congress chief questioned BJP state president Samir Mohanty and Odisha in-charge D Purandeswari as to why the celebration is behaving like ‘a coward’.
“I want to ask Samir Mohanty and D Purandeswari why is your party behaving like a coward? I can understand the fear Odisha Congress invokes in your hearts, but why send goons? Is your party so intellectually impotent that you can’t find ways to fight us democratically,” he questioned.
“I am shaken by this incident! Not because it happened to me or because of the trauma it has caused me. I am shaken because if it can happen to me, how safe are our mothers and daughters in Odisha?,” Patnaik added.
Interestingly, quickly after the alleged assault that happened close to Keonjhar Congress Bhavan at Kashipur final night time, the PCC chief had stated that he didn’t suspect any political motive behind the assault.
“Apparently the youths were returning from a picnic in an inebriated state and intercepted our vehicle after overtaking near Kashipur. When my PSO stepped out of the vehicle to inquire, they assaulted him. However, such an incident in a place like Keonjhar is alarming,” he had stated.
Today, the Keonjhar Town Police Station detained one particular person, recognized as Sanjay Mohanty, in reference to the alleged assault. His questioning is on. The police are but to reveal his political affiliation or credentials.

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