Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, today wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in connection with the alleged attack on Athagarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain’s vehicle at Tigiria in Cuttack district yesterday.

In his letter, Patnaik, a five-time former Chief Minister, claimed that some miscreants, allegedly backed by the ruling party, had intercepted the Athagarh MLA’s vehicle while he was on his way to attend a meeting of the Tigiria Panchayat Samiti on Friday. The miscreants allegedly tried to prevent the Athagarh legislator from attending the meeting, Patnaik alleged.

“Such an act is not merely a localized political clash. It is a direct and malicious assault on our democratic framework. If the very leaders chosen by the public are not safe from partisan hooliganism while performing their constitutional responsibilities, the safety of the common citizen becomes highly precarious,” said the Patnaik while expressing concern over the ‘deteriorating law and order situation’ in the state.

The BJD supremo has sought immediate intervention of the Chief Minister for stringent action against the culprits in connection with the alleged attack on the Athagarh MLA’s vehicle. He also urged the Chief Minister to introduce appropriate measures to ensure safety and security of the citizens of Odisha.