Young members of BJP took to the streets demanding Dibya Shankar Mishra’s resignation
BHUBANESWAR: The BJP and Congress on Wednesday questioned Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s silence on the killing of Kalahandi teacher Mamita Meher, questioning whether he was properly informed about the crime to which they have access.
Addressing a press conference, state BJP president Sameer Mohanty recalled how Naveen used to sack ministers in his previous tenure also for signs of corruption and wrongdoings. But this time his apathy is shocking, Sameer said.
The BJP leader said close links with Gobind Sahu, accused of murder of Minister of State for Home Divya Shankar Mishra, are widely known, with Law Minister Pratap Jena being accused in an FIR in a double murder case at Mahanaga in January.
Explaining the reason why these ministers continued in their posts, Sameer said, “Naveen seems to be unaware of serious offences. We knew his style of working as our party shared power with him for nine years. He was not informed. Will happen.” The BJP was in a coalition government with BJD from 2000 to 20009.
Congress spokesperson Padmakar Guru also questioned Naveen’s silence. “Though the Chief Minister has not spoken a word on the recent killing. Divya Shankar Mishra is still in the Council of Ministers. It is a very strange situation,” he said.
Naveen has been known to topple ministers at the slightest provocation. In his last term, he sacked the then health minister Atanu Nayak for the hospital fire in 2016 and the then agriculture minister Damodar Raut for his casteist remarks in 2017. Recently, the late Pradeep Maharathi had to resign for his controversial remarks on his acquittal in January 2019. Accused of gang rape and murder. However, no such resignation has been made in the current tenure.
The BJD claimed that rival L parties were trying to defame the government, while the probe was on the right track. “The opposition is trying to use a sensitive issue to defame the government. The Naveen Patnaik government has not tolerated any illegality in the past and will not tolerate it this time as well. The culprits must be punished as per law. will be punished.” MLA Latika Pradhan.
BJP and Congress protested in different parts of the state for the 10th consecutive day for the resignation of the junior home minister.
FacebookTwitterLinkedinE-mail
.