The high-profile MP Baijayant Panda on Thursday faced a major embarrassment with a group of people uprooting the stone plaque soon after he inaugurated a rural drinking water project in Purusottampur village under Marshaghai police station jurisdiction.

Earlier Panda had a tough time to gain entry to the meeting place as BJD cadres including women activists blocked the road leading to the meeting place. “Go back Baijayant” slogans rent the air, Panda, earlier suspended from the party , flanked by policemen reached the venue with his group of supporters mainly from Kendrapara town.

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The gathering was hardly impressive as the MP dwelt at length the welfares measures set in motion by him MPLADS funds. The drinking water project had been earlier implemented. It was also inaugurated in the past by local panchayati raj representatives.

Panda had released Mplads grants for the construction overhead tank. Though no complaint has been registered regarding the damage caused to the inauguration stone plaque, police have launched inquiry into, said Inspector Mashaghai police station, Kalindi Behera.

The plaque was removed within hours of its unveiling. Panda said it was unfortunate and those who are opposing a water project will never be forgiven by people.

Significantly, he went on to repeat his allegation that the BJD was not like this earlier, over the last three to four years an officer ( bureaucrat) has introduced such goondaism in the party.

Incidentally, another water tank project which is scheduled to be inaugurated by Panda tomorrow in Aul area of the district was inaugurated by PRI members on Thursday.

It may be noted here that Panda has fallen out of favour of the party leadership since last three years. BJD circles here are convinced that he is on way to join the BJP and has been in constant touch with PM Modi as well as Amit Shah.

The delay, according to BJD circles here is because union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan is not very keen since he is the sole high profile BJP leader and would not like a competitor in the party.