Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang conducted 'Tantra' Puja to stop the 'Super Cyclone of 1999' instead of consulting officers and experts to combat the disaster that devastated the State in all aspects.

Senior journalist Ruben Banerjee stated this while recounting the affairs at the then Chief Minister's office-cum-residence on October 28, a day before the Super Cyclone devastated the State.

"The Super Cyclone hit Odisha on October 29. While we were in a state of fear, Chief Minister Giridhar Gomang was conducting a puja with three Tantriks hired from Puri in his office-cum-resident on October 28," said Banerjee.

Recounting the scenario in the CM's residence, the senior scribe also said one of the Tantriks assured the Chief Minister that the cyclone would not harm the State because of his strong star positions in his horoscope.

"There was a competition of sycophancy among the Tantriks as each of them was trying to convince the Chief Minister that his horoscope is so strong that disasters can't hard Odisha during his tenure as the Chief Minister," Banerjee said.

He also recounted that one of the Tantrik was overwhelmed and told the Chief Minister that the cyclone would hit his chest and return without harming Odisha.

"The cyclone will come, hit your chest and return without harming Odisha. It is because strong positions of stars in your horoscope," Banerjee said.

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