Mishra, who is also heading the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development, allegedly tried to bribe journalists in a press conference here. He was accompanied by BJD MLA and former Speaker of Odisha assembly Maheswar Mohanty.
The MP was addressing mediapersons when some journalists protested at finding Rs 200 each in envelopes given to them. The press meet was called by the Uco Bank after the central committee inspected developmental works in the temple city. More than 50 lakhs of pilgrims are expected in Puri during the Navakalebara event of Lord Jagannath next year.
“When we found the currency notes tucked inside envelopes in the notepad, we started protesting. It was a cheap attempt of the organisers to get a favourable media coverage,” said a reporter of a local TV channel Jit Patnaik, adding, “we all boycotted the press conference.”
Some reporters later lodged a complaint at the Sea Beach police station against the BJD MP and MLA for trying to bribe them. However Mishra dismissed any bribery attempt, saying the journalists were offered conveyance only by the bank.
“There is no quid pro quo arrangement. I find it ridiculous that journalists can be bribed by Rs 200. I don’t care for such FIRs. I know how to deal with such things,” he said, adding “the whole controversy was engineered by my rivals who envied the rise of BJD in Puri.”
Later, BJD spokesperson Samir Dash demanded a thorough enquiry into the incident and fix responsibility.
