Opposition Accuses Odisha BJP Govt of Delaying Rath Yatra to Facilitate Adani Family's Participation

New Delhi: The opposition has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha of deliberately delaying in pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings in Puri on Friday (June 27) to allow the family of industrialist Gautam Adani to pull the chariots.

“The entire administration was there but watched helplessly as the chariots remained halted. There was much talk about Gautam Adani and his family’s visit to participate in the Rath Yatra. Even the chief temple administrator said the chariots might have halted in anticipation of some devotees. Hence, we find it fair to conclude that the delay was orchestrated to facilitate the Adani family’s participation,” said Congress leader and former minister Prasad Harichandan, reported The Telegraph.

Harichandan called for a judicial inquiry by the sitting district and sessions judge of Puri into the incident.

A political blame game has started over the delay in pulling the chariots on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra.

“We aren’t here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday’s inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosa chariot. But it’s impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our State. It’s hard to forget how, last year, Lord Balabhadra’s idol slipped during the Adapa Bije Pahandi – a moment that left countless devotees shaken,” Bju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and former Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik posted on X.

“And now this year, we witnessed Nandighosha Ratha still standing at the Singhadwar till 7.45pm, only to move a few metres before the day ended. That understandably has left lakhs of devotees, who came from all over the world to witness this unique event, completely disenchanted and disillusioned. Hundreds of devotees also got injured due to poor crowd management,” he added.

The BJD also demanded the resignation of incumbent Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and law minister Prithviraj Harichandan over the mismanagement.

BJP leader and minister Harichandan accused the opposition of trying to politicise the issue and said “god will not forgive them”.

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