Bhubaneswar, April 6 -- Lord Jagannath was drawn into a dispute between an MLA and a councillor during an allowance distribution programme in Ganjam. A video of the incident triggered political tensions in the district.

The incident occurred on Sunday in Chikiti, where an idol of Lord Jagannath was brought onto the table during a meeting amid a confrontation between BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara and BJD councillor Biswajit Mohapatra.

The confrontation took place during the distribution of allowances, with the Chikiti NAC under BJD control while the MLA represents the BJP. The BJD alleged irregularities in the distribution process, claiming it was carried out without prior intimation to the NAC councillors and chairman.

The BJD coun...