Puri, Apr 21: Biju Janata Dal leaders and workers of Puri seem to be taking refuge in Lord Jagannath at meeting venues till the end of meetings and thereafter leaving the lord's idol abandoned at the site.  

An incident of sheer disrespect to the lord has come to the fore at Maluda Panchadola ground where a large gathering was addressed by Puri Parliament Seat candidate Arup Patnaik and Brahmagiri Assembly seat candidate Umakant Samatray on April 21. The meeting was inaugurated with the lighting of a lamp at an idol of Lord Jagannath by the two candidates. However, the idol was found covered with a sack bag and lying abandoned there. 

"Leaving the idol of the lord behind at the meeting venue in negligence is a sheer disrespect to the lord," many expressed anguish over the incident.