Bhubaneswar, June 19: The Opposition today stepped up its attack on the government on the controversy over delay in Brahma paribartan of the Puri Jagannath shrine deities, targeting both chief minister Naveen Patnaik and chief temple administrator Suresh Mohapatra.

While the Congress demanded Naveen's resignation and a judicial probe into the controversy, the BJP sought Mohapatra's removal from his post. It also asked the chief minister to offer a public apology for the delay in the ceremony. The BJD, on its part, appealed to leaders across the political spectrum to refrain from politicising the issue.

Also, the temple administration has issued showcause notices to nine servitors, including the four chief ones, who had performed the soul transfer rituals. The proceedings got delayed by several hours with the Brahma paribartan taking place during the day on June 16 instead on June 15 midnight following the age-old tradition.

The chief temple administrator said: "We have already initiated a probe. All those involved in the rituals will be summoned, and their statements will be recorded confidentially. Severe action will be taken against those responsible for the delay."

Targeting the temple administration over the issue, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said: "In the first place, the accused don't have the right to investigate. The government's intentions were clear from the day it replaced the former temple administrator. It has destroyed the traditions of Lord Jagannath and hurt the sentiments of His followers. It is the chief minister, who is primarily responsible, while the second accused is the temple administration."

Mohapatra said: "The chief temple administrator says an inquiry is on, and upon its completion, action would be taken against the guilty. He should know that this is Lord Jagannath's temple and not a government department."

Demanding his suspension, Mohapatra said the government should wake up and take precautionary steps because things would go haywire if such indiscipline was seen during the car festival. Mohapatra also sought a public apology from the chief minister. The BJP suggested that the state government seek the Centre's help in conducting the car festival smoothly.

Launching an attack on the government, Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan said: "A judicial probe should be ordered into the issue the way it was done in 1977 following problems during the Nabakalebar that year."

Harichandan blamed the BJD people for the delay. "Their involvement has come out into open. What is most disturbing is the silence of the chief minister on the issue, which has hurt the feelings of millions of Jagannath devotees."

However, BJD spokesperson Sameer Dash said: "The attempt by the BJP and the Congress to politicise the issue is unfortunate. The focus of the government now is on conducting the car festival smoothly. We request the Opposition to refrain from playing with the people's sentiments."