Three people inspired me to hurl shoes at Odisha CM: Accused

Bhubaneswar: “I threw shoes at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after three people inspired me to do so,” said Kartik Meher, who hurled shoes at Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday.

Meher hurled shoes at the Chief Minister at Barpali while Patnaik was addressing a gathering in by-poll bound Bijepur assembly constituency in Bargarh district on Tuesday evening.

Meher is a resident of Padmapur. However, he did not reveal their name. The youth also denied any political affiliation.

Shoes were hurled at Patnaik at Kumbhari in Barpali in Bargarh district while he was addressing a public meeting as part of campaigning for ensuing by-poll to the Bijepur Assembly election.

However, one of his alert personal security officers (PSOs) blocked the incoming shoes. Soon after, Patnaik was whisked away from the spot safely.

The security personnel and workers overpowered the attacker and took him under their custody.