Ink Thrown at Odisha Congress Chief, Party Blames BJP For Attack – News18
Odisha Congress President Sarat Pattanayak with party workers during a protest over the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 results (Image: PTI)
“I am not scared by such incidents… those jealous of the Congress’s growth in the state are behind it,” Pattanayak later told reporters
Unidentified miscreants on Friday threw ink at Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattanayak at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar. The masked persons also vandalised the Congress Bhavan, with the grand old party alleging that it was the BJP who orchestrated the attack.
The incident took place around 11.30 am when the two unidentified persons entered Pattanayak’s chambers and splashed blue ink on his clothes, before fleeing from the spot.
“I am not scared by such incidents… those jealous of the Congress’s growth in the state are behind it…,” Pattanayak later told reporters.
Attempting to silence us with ink, eggs, and stones won’t deter our resolve. The BJP or other conspirators behind these cowardly acts can’t halt our progress. Despite these attacks, the Congress in Odisha is growing stronger. We will persist in our fight and protest against the… pic.twitter.com/dUffreRECc— Sarat Patnaik (@SaratPatINC) June 21, 2024
“The BJP or other conspirators behind these cowardly acts can’t halt our progress,” he added.
The Congress leader later participated in a demonstration against alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 exam.
Congress spokesperson Biswaranjan Mohanty said an inquiry will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken.
BJP’s Reaction
BJP spokesperson Dilip Mallik claimed that the incident was a fallout of an internal feud in the Congress.
“The ink attack was a reflection of anger among Congress workers against Pattanayak,” he alleged.
Congress is pointing fingers at other parties in a bid to gain sympathy, he added.
