The BJD and the Congress on Thursday demanded the resignation of Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for allegedly taking illegal gratification from Madhya Pradesh businessman Sudhir Sharma, the prime accused in the Vyapam scam.
PCC president Prasad Harichandan told reporters that Pradhan had availed an air ticket from Sharma. There is no reason why Pradhan should continue as a Minister, he added.
The way the CBI has taken action against the chit fund scam accused including politicians should be replicated in the Vyapam scam, Harichandan said, adding that Pradhan needs to resign to help the CBI for a fair probe into the scam.
Meanwhile, followers of the BJD burnt an effigy of Pradhan at Parjang in Dhenkanal and also protested his presence at Puri during the inauguration of Malatipatapur railway station.
The Odisha Vikas Parishad (OVP) staged a demonstration on the Master Canteen-Rajmahal Road in Bhubaneswar blocking vehicular movement for nearly four hours asking Pradhan to step down and prove his innocence.
Meanwhile, Pradhan denied receiving any payments from Sharma, saying he never took any air ticket from any individual and his travel was always paid for by his party.
"I vehemently deny taking any favour or tickets from any individual…the party (BJP) usually booked my tickets," he said.
Pradhan added that he did know Sharma but had never asked him for tickets to travel to Bhopal in May 2010 for party activity.