Bhubaneswar, Jul 1: The controversy surrounding the assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo has taken a new turn, with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan and a sanitation worker (Swachha Saathi) from Ward 34, Rebati Rout, making serious allegations against the senior officer.

Speaking to the media, Jagannath Pradhan acknowledged that BJP workers were involved in the June 30 incident but claimed the provocation stemmed from Sahoo’s alleged misbehaviour.

“A clap needs two hands,” he said, suggesting the officer’s conduct contributed to the altercation. Pradhan alleged that Sahoo had spoken rudely to him over the phone and mistreated sanitation workers, including threatening to terminate their jobs for political reasons.

Rebati Rout, the Swachha Saathi at the centre of the controversy, accused Sahoo of intimidation and verbal abuse. She claimed the officer threatened to remove her from service for not complying with a BJD corporator’s demand to mobilize people for a political rally.

Rout further alleged that Sahoo pressured her to “compromise” with the corporator’s husband to retain her job. She has filed a formal complaint at Kharavel Nagar Police Station in the morning of June 30.

According to Pradhan, the incident escalated when a few BJP party members attempted to confront Sahoo about his behaviour, leading to the physical altercation. He also questioned the role of BMC security staff and claimed the Mayor’s office had prior knowledge of the confrontation, citing video footage shared with the media.

The incident has sparked political outrage and administrative concern. While three individuals have been arrested, the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, civic officials and employees have demanded stronger security and accountability within the BMC premises.

In a swift disciplinary move, Odisha BJP has suspended five party members from their primary membership following their alleged involvement in the violent incident at the BMC office.

The suspended individuals include Corporator Aparupa Narayan Rout, Rashmi Ranjan Mahapatra, Debashis Pradhan, Sachikanta Swain, and Sanjeev Mishra.

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