Bhubaneswar : A video featuring Odisha BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara during a ministerial press briefing has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread discussion over his unusual interaction with a fellow legislator.
The incident reportedly took place on Friday during a media briefing addressed by Odisha Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
While the minister was briefing reporters about cyclone-related damage across three districts and the government’s proposed compensation measures for affected residents, cameras captured an unexpected moment in the background.
Samantara, the BJP legislator representing Chikiti, was seen standing alongside a colleague wearing a white shirt. At one point, he leaned closely towards the colleague, appearing to whisper into his ear before making a gesture near the latter’s cheek and shoulder.
The brief interaction, captured by cameras covering the minister’s press conference, subsequently circulated widely across social media platforms. Certain camera angles made the gesture appear like a light peck, although the exact nature and context of the interaction remain unclear.
Viral Clip Triggers Social Media Reactions
The footage has generated mixed reactions online, with social media users discussing the unusual moment and questioning the context behind the interaction. While some have viewed it as an awkward exchange, others have urged caution against drawing conclusions from a short video clip.
Manoranjan Dyan Samantara entered the Odisha Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2024 after winning the Chikiti constituency on a BJP ticket. He defeated five-time BJD MLA Usha Devi by a margin of 6,522 votes, ending the regional party’s longstanding hold over the seat.
No Official Clarification Yet
Despite the growing circulation of the video, neither MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara nor the Odisha BJP has issued an official clarification regarding the incident so far.
The episode has brought unexpected attention to a press briefing that was primarily focused on cyclone-related damage, relief measures and compensation for affected communities.
Whether the MLA will respond to the growing online discussion remains to be seen.
