BJP questions CM’s silence on Nag case, Cong demands ouster

Bhubaneswar: The high-profile honey-trap racket, involving Archana Nag and her alleged link with the ruling BJD, dominated the proceedings of the assembly on Monday with BJP questioning chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s silence on the issue and Congress demanding his resignation.
The opposition parties also accused the state government of trying to hush up the investigation.
BJP, submitting an adjournment motion notice to discuss the sextortion scandal, came down heavily on BJD for allegedly patronising Nag’s illegal business. Targeting Naveen for his silence, BJP MLA and opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi said the sex scandal involved massive illegal financial transactions.
“Several ministers and MLAs of the BJD as well as many government officials are involved in the scandal. At least 64 photos from Nag’s mail ID and many incriminating details have been found from five diaries and four laptops. The state government is trying to protect the accused,” Majhi said.
The leader of opposition also questioned whether the commissionerate police has been cooperating with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the investigation. The BJP alleged that the government has been protecting criminals and it is evident from the honey-trap case that it tried to shield BJD leaders and officials, he added.
“Jagabandhu Chand, who was spared by the commissionerate police, attempted to destroy evidence. It is heard Chand is a BJD member,” Majhi said.
Taking part in the debate, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra questioned Naveen’s silence and demanded his resignation. “The police have not interrogated any bigwig involved in the case and are busy hushing it up. The CM should resign,” Mishra said.
Replying to the adjournment motion, minister of state for home Tusharkanti Behera dismissed the allegations of the opposition. “The state government never shields anyone involved in any crime. The allegations are baseless. Nag and her husband have been arrested in two cases. The investigation is in progress. The police have been cooperating with the ED, which is probing the financial part,” he said.
BJD MLA Amar Satapathy said Odisha has been able to attract investments and tourists because of the peaceful atmosphere.