The BJP Mahila Morcha continued its protest on Wednesday against Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Pradeep Maharathy for his statements hailing the court verdict in the Pipili gangrape and murder case in which the main accused, two brothers, were acquitted.
The members of the Mahila Morcha tried to gherao Naveen Niwas, the official residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the day reiterating their demand for action against the Minister.
However, tension prevailed after police tried to prevent the agitators leading to a scuffle at a stone’s throw distance from Naveen Niwas.
Reportedly the activists were on their way to put up posters near Naveen Niwas protesting Maharathy’s statements on Pipili gangrape verdict. “If the Minister does not tender his resignation, BJP Mahila Morcha would intensify the agitation and take to the streets every day,” said BJP Mahila Morcha leader Rashmirekha Das said.
More than activists were later taken into preventive custody by the police.
In reaction, BJD spokesperson Samir Das termed it as a political drama of the BJP to hoodwink the female voters ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Earlier on Tuesday, the women’s wing of the saffron party tried to gherao Naveen Niwas holding bangles and lashed out at the Chief Minister demanding resignation of Maharathy.
However, on the way they were prevented by police from marching towards the Chief Minister’s residence, following which a scuffle ensued. Later, police took many BJP Mahila Morcha members into custody.
Similarly on Monday, the BJP had gheraoed the State Crime Branch headquarters in Cuttack alleging lapses in investigation that led to acquittal of two accused in Pipili gangrape and murder case.