JHARSUGUDA: The internal divisions within the BJP in Jharsuguda appeared to intensify on Saturday when a group of party members reportedly prevented Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari from reaching the Samalei temple in Kandagad village, where he intended to pray.
According to local reports, Pujari, who also serves as the MLA for Brajrajnagar, arrived in the village around 10 am for a personal visit to the shrine. While one faction gathered to greet him, another faction protested, chanting ‘Suresh Pujari go back’ and accusing him of neglecting certain party members in the district. They also stated that they were not notified of his arrival.
Party workers voiced their dissatisfaction, indicating they would have welcomed the minister had they received prior notice of his visit. As tensions escalated, a police team led by Badmal IIC Dilip Behera arrived to diffuse the situation among the party members.
