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MLA falls from bullock cart, fractures leg

Photo: Lingaraj Panda

Freak accident: BJD MLA R.C.C. Patnaik being treated at a hospital after he fell from a bullock cart in Berhampur on Saturday. —

BERHAMPUR: Riding a bullock cart is not an easy task for political leaders, who have started replacing motor vehicles with the traditional mode of transport to protest against the recent hike in prices of petroleum products.

BJD MLA of Berhampur Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik learnt this truth the hard way after fracturing his right leg on Saturday.

He met with an accident while trying to ride a bullock cart, which was to lead the BJD rally in the city against petro price hike. Party supporters had to call off the rally against the UPA Government following the accident.

Mr. Patnaik was immediately carried to a nearby private clinic for first aid. Later, he was shifted to MKCG Medical College Hospital.

The city unit of the BJD planned the rally. It was to start from the old bus stand at 10.30 a.m.

To make it more colourful, it was decided to include a bullock cart. A bike was put on the cart along with the effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The MLA was to lead the rally on the bullock cart.

Perhaps, the bullocks brought to the city from a nearby village were not acquainted with the political sloganeering through mikes.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the two bullocks attached to the cart suddenly turned unruly and tried to run away while the MLA was trying to get on to the cart. Mr. Patnaik lost balance, fell down and fractured his leg. The unruly bullock then ran away from the spot. It was traced a few km away by its owner a few hours later.

According to experienced cart drivers, the MLA must have put his hand at the end of the spine of the bullock while trying to ride the cart. That point is the signal for the animal to run fast. But politicians on the fast track surely lack knowledge about such tips.

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