Spat Between MLA and Municipality Vice-Chairman: Personal Allegations Traded at the DISHA Meeting
Dr.Badal Tah, Odishabarta
Rayagada, September 20: The district-level DISHA meeting turned into a political battleground, witnessing heated arguments between the Gunupur MLA and the Municipality Vice-Chairman, with reports indicating that both traded personal barbs. DISHA meeting was convened on Saturday under the chairmanship of Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni, alongside other district-level officials, was present. However, an intriguing situation arose when allegations and counter-allegations flared up between Gunupur MLA Satyajit Gomango and Gunupur Municipality Vice-Chairman Siva Prasad Gouda.
Gomango alleged that he was not invited to Local Self-Government Day, and neither his name nor the MP’s name was included on the inaugural plaque. Consequently, he demanded disciplinary action against the Municipal Executive Officer and the removal of the plaque, warning that he would stage a dharna in front of the District Collector’s office otherwise. Similarly, he stated that inviting the Municipality Vice-Chairman instead of the MLA to the inauguration of the community hall at Golamunda Panchayat in Gunupur block was unlawful, calling for action against the BDO as well.
In response, Municipality Vice-Chairman Gouda issued a sharp retort, asking why the Zilla Parishad member, block chairman, sarpanch, or panchayat samiti members were not invited to the inauguration of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana projects at Bhimpur and Putasing. Questioning where the protocol was at that time, he openly accused the MLA of creating publicity stunts instead of working for the people.
Incensed by this, the MLA questioned how the Vice-Chairman had acquired so much land and wealth. The Vice-Chairman hit back, sarcastically asking where the MLA had acquired two expensive cars when he used to campaign on a motorcycle during elections. Observing the deteriorating environment, the MP intervened immediately and advised both sides to work together amicably.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing and approved projects funded by the MP LAD scheme. Discussions were held regarding the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kamadhenu Yojana, construction of cow shelters, issues relating to non-tribals, Jal Jeevan Mission, rural survey and mapping exercises, malnutrition-related deaths in Anganwadi centers, quality of drinking water, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and safety measures for residential school students.
Bissam Cuttack MLA Nilamadhaba Hikaka, Zilla Parishad President Saraswati Majhi, CDO Akshay Kumar Khemundu, Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) Nihar Ranjan Kanhar, Gunupur Sub-Collector Dudhal Abhishek Dilip, Rayagada Sub-Collector Mrunallika Rathore and others were present.
