Row over delay

A day after Lord Jagannath's chariot failed to reach its destination on time during the Rath Yatra in Puri, political tempers flared Saturday with BJD chief Naveen Patnaik calling the delay a 'terrible mess', prompting the ruling BJP to accuse the Opposition party of engaging in 'vicious politics.'

- PNN & AGENCIES

Patnaik, currently recuper-ating at a Mumbai hospital after surgery, expressed deep anguish over the disruption.

In a social media post, the for-mer chief minister said, “All we can do is pray. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival this year.”

He stopped short of directly blaming the administration but said it was impossible not to voice concern over how events unfolded. “But it's impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our state,” he said.

“The Nandighosh chariot stood still at the Singhadwar till 7.45pm, only to move a few metres before the day ended. This has left lakhs of devotees disillusioned,” Patnaik wrote.