- BJP MLA’s Unwarranted Behaviour Towards Dalit Woman Sarpanch Condemnable
- Aska MLA Has Become Blinded by the Arrogance of Power
- Under What Authority Did MLA’s Son Create a Ruckus at the Panchayat Samiti Meeting?
Bhubaneswar, 13/09/2026: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly condemned the alleged misbehaviour and casteist remarks against a Dalit woman Sarpanch by the two sons of Aska MLA Shri Saroj Padhi, who allegedly forcibly entered the Aska Panchayat Samiti meeting at a time when the MLA’s high-handedness in his constituency is increasing.
At a press conference held today at Sankha Bhawan, Haridapadar Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Smt. Jayanti Behera, along with Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Sulata Deo and Biju Mahila Janata Dal General Secretary and Corporator Smt. Mansi Sundaray, strongly condemned the conduct of MLA Shri Saroj Padhi and demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.
Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Sulata Deo said that the BJP, which keeps preaching about Nari Shakti Vandana and women’s empowerment, is unable to muster the courage to take action against the accused when a woman public representative is allegedly attacked by a member of its own party. The Ganjam Police are also unable to muster the courage to take action against the accused. The manner in which the two sons of the MLA allegedly behaved indecently and issued threats in public during the Panchayat Samiti meeting is unacceptable in a civilised society. When a woman public representative was raising issues concerning her Panchayat and the people, such vindictive behaviour is condemnable. The Biju Janata Dal will take to the streets in the coming days against such targeted harassment of women public representatives.
Haridapadar Sarpanch Smt. Jayanti Behera stated that despite repeated complaints, the Panchayat Samiti meeting had not been convened for 16 months. After she staged a dharna for 10 days, the Samiti meeting was finally convened. While drawing attention to various problems of her Panchayat, Asika MLA Shri Saroj Padhi allegedly became agitated and asked her to sit down, while his two sons, accompanied by some persons, allegedly made indecent and casteist remarks against her. When she protested against this, the MLA allegedly abused her while supporting his sons. Although an FIR was lodged at the police station in this regard, no action was taken by the police. Therefore, they met the Ganjam SP and submitted a complaint. Subsequently, the MLA’s son and his supporters allegedly used her photograph on social media and posted derogatory and obscene content. A written complaint has also been submitted at the Cyber Police Station in this regard. Smt. Behera expressed her gratitude to Biju Janata Dal President Shri Naveen Patnaik for extending full support to her during such indecent and vindictive behaviour by the BJP MLA.
Party General Secretary Smt. Sundaray said that from Bhubaneswar to Kendrapara and Asika, such indecent behaviour by leaders and workers of the ruling party towards women public representatives has created a shameful chapter. Immediate exemplary action should be taken against the Asika MLA and his son, failing which the Biju Mahila Janata Dal will strongly protest across the State and take to the streets in the coming days.
