Make Public Rath Yatra Fund Details: BJP Asks Odisha Government

Rath Yatra is scheduled for July 18 but Odisha BJP unit says the state is still unprepared. Where did the funds go?

Rath Yatra commemorates a journey by Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, in specially made chariots. (Photo: Reuters)

Alleging irregularities in preparations for Lord Jagannath’s Nabakalebar festival, BJP today asked the Odisha government to make public details of funds provided and expenditure made on different works.

Accusing the BJD government of being inefficient, callous and arrogant while handling Nabakalebar projects, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said major works relating to road construction, health care facilities and drinking water arrangement are still incomplete though Rath Yatra is scheduled on July 18.

The BJP leader held Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik responsible for gross mismanagement right from search of “Daru”, sacred neem trees for carving out new idols of the Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan.

All important rituals that followed saw deviation and mismanagement, he said adding that finally Brahma Paribartan fiasco has triggered widespread public anger.