BJP's Mahila Morcha stopped from proceeding towards Patnaik's residence

The activists of BJP's Mahila Morcha were stopped by police from proceeding towards Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence here Tuesday, a police officer said.

Holding party flags and banner, the Mahila Morcha activists took out a rally from the party office and marched towards the Naveen Niwas, the residence of the chief minister to demand the dismissal of Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy for his alleged objectionable remarks against women.

The activists led by BJP Mahila Morcha president Pravat Parida were first intercepted by police near Raj Mahal Square while attempting to move towards Naveen Niwas to meet the chief minister. However, another group of activists somehow reached near Naveen Niwas and staged a demonstration in front of it.

Later, they clashed with police when stopped from resorting to protest. "We demand the immediate apology and the ouster of the minister from the council of ministers. The statement has hurt the sentiments of the entire community," BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar said.

Maharathy has claimed that he had never made any such statement to insult women. Later, the cops detained around 15 members of the BJP women's wing, the officer added.