Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday accused the Odisha Government of violating discipline norms laid down by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) during this year’s Rath Yatra in Puri.

The party raised questions over the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, BJP State President Manmohan Samal, and MLA Ashrit Pattanayak at Mahalakshmi’s ‘Chahani Mandap’ during Lord Jagannath’s Niladri Bije ritual. Citing the temple administration’s prohibitory order, which restricts entry to servitors only, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty questioned who authorised the entry of the political leaders and why the SJTA has remained silent on the issue.

Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, BJD’s headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Mohanty alleged repeated irregularities have been observed during the Rath Yatra in Puri over the past three years. Referring to reports of a stampede during the festival that allegedly led to the death of three devotees, he claimed both the State Government and the SJTA have failed to take such incidents seriously.

He further questioned the role of SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee, asking why he appeared “helpless” in the face of ruling party leaders. Mohanty also referred to a viral video in which Padhee was seen pulling a devotee down from a chariot, drawing criticism.

Demanding an apology from Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Mohanty alleged lakhs of devotees faced inconvenience due to administrative lapses during the annual chariot festival.

The Odisha Government and SJTA are yet to respond to the allegations.