Balasore: Police on Monday withdrew an attempt to murder charge against the woman who had hurled eggs at the meeting venue of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in Balasore on January 31.

The health of the woman, Rajeswari Kamila, has became serious and she has been shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The woman, who was caught by the public while hurling eggs at the podium, was assaulted by a mob. The BJP had accused the police of being mute spectator to the incident.

It alleged that the police had virtually allowed the BJD workers to physically assault the victim, a BJP worker.

Chief district medical officer Bibekananda Das said: "Kamila was shifted after she complained of vomiting and giddiness. During our previous check-up on Thursday, no abnormalities were found. However, she has been transferred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital for further investigation and treatment as her complaint persisted."

A controversy began in the political circles when the police registered cases under different sections, including attempt to murder, against the woman.

Suspended BJD MP Baijayant Jay Panda had come out strongly against the police action and recalled when he was attacked by hooligans in Mahanga last year and eggs were thrown at him, the police had not registered a case. Incidentally, the police had registered an attempt-to-murder case against Youth Congress workers who threw eggs at the chief minister's convoy two years ago. Aware that the present incident may provide ammunition to the BJP, the Balasore Police seems to have decided not to press the charges.

However, cases under other provisions of the Indian Police Code (IPC) will be pursued.

Inspector in charge of the marine police station, Jogendra Malik, said: "The section of attempt to murder has been dropped from the charges against her. However, the other sections - 294, 353, 332, 506 and 120(b) - will be pursued."

Kamila was arrested shortly after her discharge from district headquarter hospital and produced in a local Jaleswar court on Saturday evening. She was sent jail after her bail plea was rejected.