Erasama: Tension prevailed high at Erasama in Jagatsinghpur district after supporters of Dama Rout called for a 24-hour market bandh in Erasama town over the cancellation of Dama Rout’s ‘Ravana Podi’ event by the administration.
Political tussle over ‘Ravana Podi’ at Ersama intensified as members of Ersama village committee called for the bandh.
It may be noted here that expelled BJD MLA Damodar Rout, who had been holding the Ravan Podi Utsav in Erasama for the last 35 years was left fumed after the administration permitted MLA Prashant Muduli to hold the event this year.
Even after Prashant become the MLA of Balikuda-Ersama, it was Dama who continued organising the event every year. He had been doing it for the last 35 years.
However, this year the administration gave permission to Muduli to hold the event, in the presence of police force.
Unaware of the administration’s direction, Dama’s supporters had prepared the pandal for the event at the Anchalika Yuva Parishad ground. Later, the administration had to pull down the stage constructed for Dama at the regional youth council ground, stoking the already tense political atmosphere in Jagatsinghpur.
In its reaction on the permission to Prashant, the administration clarified that Prashant has been given permission as he was the first applicant for holding the event.
This did not go well with Dama’s supporters who called for the bandh in protest over dismantling of stage erected for Ravana Podi which was supposed to be attended by Rout.
Rout’s supporters have also demanded cancellation of a program scheduled to be attended by BJD’s Balikuda-Erasama MLA Prashant Muduli today. Sources said that Dama’s supporters have met many locals in Ersama and requested them to refrain from attending the event.
The supporters of Dama said the district administration was favouring Muduli and declined to give permission to Rout to organise ‘Ravan Podi’ function and dismantled the stage in presence of police.
PNN