Political intolerance flared in Bolangir district after the names of certain local representatives were omitted from the inaugural plaque of the newly built Saintala bus stand.
The incident triggered tension, protests, and police action.
On Monday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi virtually inaugurated several development projects, including the Saintala bus stand constructed with ₹5 crore sanctioned during the previous BJD government under former Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu. The OSRTC organised the event, inviting local leaders including Block Chairperson Monika Singhboi, Vice-Chairperson Gunasagar Majhi, and several Zilla Parishad members.
However, the plaque displayed only the names of BJP leaders—Chief Minister Majhi, Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, MP Sangeeta Kumari Singhdeo, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, and Titlagarh MLA Naveen Jain. The absence of Block Chairperson Monika Singhboi’s name angered her supporters, sparking heated arguments.
In the ensuing chaos, Dunguripali Sarpanch Gajapati Sahu broke the plaque, alleging that the BJP government was claiming credit for projects initiated during the BJD regime. Police arrested Sahu and produced him in court, where his bail was rejected, leading to his transfer to Titilagarh jail.
Following the arrest, sarpanches and samiti members staged a protest and gheraoed Saintala police station. Titlagarh SDPO Yashobanta Pradhani and IIC Khagapati Biswal reached the spot, engaged with agitators, and eventually persuaded them to withdraw the protest.
This controversy echoes a similar incident in 2025 during the inauguration of Bolangir Krushi Bhavan, where the names of certain BJD leaders were excluded from the plaque, sparking protests and blackening of the board. Citizens allege that administrative officers, under political pressure, continue to overlook inclusivity in government events, fueling public resentment.
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