Function advanced, guest KV shocked

BHUBANESWAR: Leader of the BJP Legislature Party KV Singhdeo was in for a surprise on Sunday when he reached Belpada, in his Assembly constituency Patnagarh, to attend the inaugural function of the hospital building.The inaugural function was scheduled at 4.30 pm and invitation cards had been printed likewise. The function was over by the time KV reached Belpada at 3.45 pm. The function was advanced to 3.30 pm without informing KV who was one of the three guests.The other two guests were BJD MP from Balangir Kalikesh Singhdeo and chairperson of the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Padmini Sekhar Deo. Kalikesh inaugurated the hospital building.KV said the organisers could have informed him about the function being advanced. “I could have reached there in time as Belpada is only a 20-minute drive from Patnagarh,” he said. Balangir chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr BK Kindo told him that there was pressure to advance the function, KV added.Kindo told this paper that they were preparing for the function when Balangir MP and WODC chairperson arrived and asked him to start the function immediately as the MP had some other work.“I told the MP that there are other guests who have been informed that the function will be held at 4.30 pm,” Dr Kindo said and added that he was helpless. They wound up the function within 10 minutes and left, Dr Kindo said. He also said he had apologised to KV about the matter. Dr Kindo admitted that he had himself invited KV as one of the guests.The issue of how attempts are being made to undermine the Opposition MLAs by ruling BJD politicians with support from the local-level officials has been raised several times in the Assembly. During the Budget Session how officials violate book circular 47 to undermine the influence of the MLAs was also discussed. The issue has been referred to the Ethics Committee of the Assembly by Speaker Pradip Amat.