Barabati Floodlight Failure: BJD Demands Resignation of Sports Minister on Moral Grounds

Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday demanded resignation of Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on moral grounds in the wake of floodlight malfunction during the international cricket match between India and England played at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

The floodlight failure, which disrupted the match for about 30 minutes, has embarrassed Odisha on a national level, the BJD said.

BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty sought resignation of the Sports Minister on moral grounds for the mismanagement.

After the gap of about six years, Odisha had the opportunity to host an ODI cricket match, which generated significant enthusiasm among the sports lovers in the state. The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) and the state government were primarily responsible for organizing this event successfully. Despite holding frequent review meetings at the administrative level involving state Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the match’s preparations were marred by the floodlight malfunction, Mohanty said.

The senior BJD leader raised questions why an engineer from the electricity department was not present on-site and whether the power supply for the floodlights and generators was properly approved.

As a result of this incident, Odisha has drawn criticism from sports enthusiasts worldwide. Renowned sports journalist Boria Majumdar remarked that the issue of floodlight disruptions in Pakistan is now echoed by this incident in Cuttack.

While the floodlight fiasco has tarnished the image of Odisha, it is laughable that the Sports Minister said that a show-cause notice has been issued to the OCA. The state government should bear the responsibility for the incident, he said.

The senior BJD leader further said that there was a stampede-like situation during a recent Hockey League final match in Rourkela due to organizational irregularities. A recent incident involving the Sports Minister’s vehicle being driven onto the track at Kalinga Stadium has also hurt the sentiments of sports lovers. There is no development in sports over the last eight months, Mohanty said.

Earlier today, the Sports Minister said that a written explanation has been sought from the OCA and action will be taken against responsible persons for the unwarranted delay in repairing the technical glitches after lights went off during the match.