In the backdrop of BJD MLA Pradeep Panigrahi’s expulsion from the BJD on Sunday, Opposition BJP in the State Assembly further intensified its demand for expulsion of Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo from the Cabinet for his alleged role in the case of murder of five-year-old girl Pari of Jadupur village in Nayagarh district.
The party also reiterated its demand for a CBI probe into the case.
The BJP members continued creating ruckus in the House over the Pari issue, for which Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro adjourned the proceedings initially till 11.30 am and later till 3 pm. BJP Deputy Leader in the Assembly Mohan Majhi tried to climb unto the Speaker’s podium.
Besides, BJP MLAs also staged a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Assembly premises holding banners and placards to press for their demands.
On the other hand, Congress Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati during the Zero Hour in the Assembly raised the matter of MLA Pradeep Panigrahi’s expulsion from the BJD and alleged his association with arrested and suspended IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak and his son Akash Kumar Pathak.
Bahinipati further alleged that several leaders of the ruling party and non-Odia officers are involved in corruption in the State.
Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik of BJP told reporters at his party office that the Congress entered into a nexus with the ruling BJD in the Assembly on the demand for Arun Sahoo’s ouster from the Cabinet.
Political observers speculated whether Naveen Patnaik, after acting against Pradeep Panigrahi, would also remove Sahoo from his Cabinet for the sake of his Government’s clean image.
