Odisha: Covid-positive Congress MLA visits public places, trolled

Suresh Kumar Rautray, a six-time MLA, reportedly triggered panic among people when he showed up outside Jayadev Bhawan, his daily morning hangout place.

BHUBANESWAR: Jatni Congress MLA Suresh Kumar Rautray (76), who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, evoked sharp criticism for allegedly flouting home isolation norms and visiting public places on Thursday.
After learning about Rautray contracting Covid, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday took to Twitter and wished him a quick recovery.
Rautray, a six-time MLA, reportedly triggered panic among people when he showed up outside Jayadev Bhawan, his daily morning hangout place. As people were seen maintaining distance from him, Rautray told them not to be scared as his infection was mild.
Rautray, who usually doesn’t wear a mask and has so far claimed that Covid-19 would not attack him, turned up near Jayadev Bhawan, wrapping his mouth with a piece of cloth. Sources said he visited the Congress Bhawan here and interacted with some visitors on Thursday afternoon.
“Do not worry. You will not get infected by me. The infection is mild and I was fully vaccinated,” Rautray can be heard saying in a video that bystanders captured outside Jayadev Bhawan and circulated on social media.
The MLA was heavily trolled on different social media platforms for flouting Covid-19 norms. “We never expected such a foolish conduct from an elected representative. He has made a mockery of the Covid-safety norms and endangered the lives of several people by visiting public places. Police should register a case against him,” said Satish Mishra, a Twitter user.

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