BJD MP 'regrets' his behaviour towards journalist

 A day after being booked for allegedly misbehaving with a journalist, BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty on Friday "regretted" his behaviour towards reporter during an event at his Kendrapara constituency.

According to an FIR lodged at Kendrapara town police station by journalist Maj Swain of a private news channel, actor-turned-politician h on Tuesday abused him and pulled him by his arm in full public view when reporter sought MP's comment on a newly-anunced project.

Swain h sought police protection, alleging that MP and his supporters have issued threats to him.

However, Mohanty wrote in a social media post, "I have highest regards for media and I have all along cooperated with journalists. Whatever happened two days ago was unfortunate and unintentional. I regret that."

His statement came hours after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was questioned over Kendrapara MP's alleged ill- treatment towards a journalist.

"I will certainly look into it," Patnaik h told reporters while leaving for his four-day visit to national capital.

ting that incident has "pained and sdened" him, Mohanty targeted his political rival Baijayant Panda over it.

Swain works for private channel OTV, which is owned by family of Panda.

"OTV news channel, owned by family of Baijayant Panda has been assassinating my character besides irritating and insulting me. I request Baijayant babu t to do so and stop troubling me while I am serving people of Kendrapara," Mohanty said in a video uploed on social media.

incident came five months after ar woman journalist h filed a complaint against Mohanty and his bror at Purighat police station in Cuttack.

MP was booked on charge of assaulting and sexually harassing scribe.

Journalists and political leers across Odisha have been demanding action against Mohanty.

While ruling BJD is silent over issue, Leer of Opposition Pripta Kumar Naik of BJP said his party will raise issue in Assembly when winter session commences on vember 13.

Ridiculing Mohanty, Congress MLA Tarapras Bahinipati said, "Naveen babu (Patnaik) should d ar T to his 5T policy. 6th T is probably 'Torture' of media persons.