BJP PEEVED OVER ADS BY ODISHA GOVT PRAISING PARTY MLAS

The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) on Sunday sought clarification from the Odisha sports and youth affairs department over advertisements published in newspapers by the Biju Yuva Bahini ( BYB) congratulating two ruling party ( Biju Janata Dal) legislators for being presented with best legislator award.

The party alleged that the purpose behind formation of the BYB is lost as money meant for development of the social values among youth is being spent on publicity of the ruling party leaders.

BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra on Monday said, “The sports department should clarify why the BYB was formed. The advertisements published by the youth organisation are creating publicity for BJD leaders. The saffron party would launch agitation in coming days if a clarification is not given by the state government.”

The BYB had given advertisements in newspapers congratulating Barchana MLA Amar Prasad Satpathy and Brahmagiri MLA Sanjay Das Burma for being conferred with best legislators.

Earlier, the state had announced in the Assembly about formation of the BYB at panchayat and block level with an allocation of ` 450.49 crore. The aim was to instill social values, leadership and sports qualities among youth. The government has plans to induct 8,000 youths in the Biju Yuva Bahini.

As per the scheme, youth clubs constituted under the programme will be provided with a one- time financial assistance of ` 15,000 each.