Bhubaneswar, 13 April (H.S.): A political controversy surfaced during the Rajdhani Foundation Day celebrations on Monday following a public exchange between BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi and Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das over invitations to the event.

Addressing the gathering, Sarangi alleged that she had not been invited to the celebrations during the previous government’s tenure. She, however, thanked the current administration for extending an invitation this year and expressed her emotional connection with the city, stating she would continue to participate in the annual event.

Her remarks drew attention to claims of past exclusion while reaffirming her association with Bhubaneswar.

Responding to the allegations, Mayor Das termed the statement “unfortunate” and refuted the claims. She asserted that invitations had been sent to the MP every year since she assumed office and that Sarangi was also personally informed, including through a phone call last year. The Mayor added that the MP’s absence in previous years was due to her engagements outside the city and not due to any lapse on the part of the civic body.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda