UnionMin lashes out, BJD responds

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the BJD targeted BJP after the attack on the brother of Minister of State for Labour Sushant Singh on Thursday night at Sohela, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan lashed out at the regional outfit by alleging that the party’s campaign in the Bijepur by-poll was led by accused persons in the multi-crore chit fund scam.

Addressing a media conference at New Delhi, the Union Minister alleged that several BJD leaders had links with chit fund companies which duped people. He asked why Prasanna Acharya, who is now a Rajya Sabha member, had leased out hospitals to Seashore Group. He also wanted to know whether BJD leader Debi Mishra, when he was a minister, involved the same company in implementation of tourism projects. Pradhan also alleged that a witness has also linked another BJD leader Sanjay Dasburma for taking a vehicle from a scam tainted chit fund company.

Referring to the statement of Acharya that he does not own any petrol pump, the Union Minister said a legislation on ‘benami’ property will come in Parliament and it will be clear whether the BJD MP also has any property other than petrol pump. Pradhan said BJP had brought to the notice of the administration at 11 am on Thursday about chances of Minister Sushant Singh and his brother resorting to violence, but no action was taken.

Criticising the BJD for pointing fingers at BJP after the firing incident at Sohela, Pradhan said according to the authorities of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research  (VIMSAR), injuries were not due to bullets. He also asked why the BJD leaders had gone to the ashram where the firing took place late in the night.

Responding to the charges, Acharya said the bill on benami property which will be for everybody and not only for BJD politicians. Asking Pradhan not to threaten by referring to the bill on benami property, Acharya said the provisions of the legislation will be applicable to everybody in the country, including BJD and BJP politicians.  

Acharya said in his 40 years of political life, he has been minister, MP and MLA many times. He asked Pradhan to call for the files from the State Government or take the RTI path if the State Government does not oblige and order an investigation into the charges brought by him by any agency. He also said photographs of politicians with D brothers should also be investigated so that truth will come out. Pradhan is enraged because of the prospect of defeat in the by-poll, the BJD MP said.