A warm welcome was accorded to former Khariar BJP MlA Hitesh Bagartti on his arrival at Khariar on Saturday. He returned after three years being released from jail by court on bail in connection with the Nabadiganta chit fund case.

“I have been falsely implicated by the CBI in the case, but I have faith on judiciary, and justice will be done,” he told media.

Thousands of people from different corners of Nuapada district came to Khariar to welcome Bagarti. It was like a festive occasion for his followers who had been waiting for his release.

“No one in our district will believe the allegations against Hitesh. He is our leader and will continue to be our hero,” said an elated group of villagers.

Hitesh belongs to the Yadav community, which is the dominant caste group in Nuapada district. He won the Assembly election of 2009 getting an overwhelmed support from his community. “If he is offered ticket for contesting election in future, our community will back him whole-heatedly,” said local Yadav Samaj president Hareram Kathar.

Bagarti, however, expressed his reservation on contesting election again. “I will work for the people, I don’t think it is time for me to decide about election,” said he.

Bagarti was earlier also greeted by thousands of people of Balangir district at the Kantabanji railway station. People of Nuapada district too welcomed him at several villages. “It hurts me when I think that I had to spend three years behind the bar, which is the full-term punishment for a crime in which I have been implicated,” said he.