The BJP on Wednesday came down heavily on Sambalpur BJD MP Nagendra Pradhan’s “baseless” remark on Kandhamal riot and said the BJD leaders are making such statements being scared of possible success of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMGY).
“The MP (Pradhan), though invited, did not attend the launching ceremony of the Ujjwala Yojana at Sambalpur. He made a baseless allegation that the BJP had killed hundreds people in Kandhamal district. Pradhan and other BJD leaders are making such vague statements being scared of the Ujjwala Yojana that would shake Naveen Patnaik’s Chief Minister post,” said BJP State chief spokesperson Sajjan Sharma at a Press conference here.
Sharma sought a clarification from Pradhan as to on which ground he made such an allegation.
“Swami laxmanananda Saraswati had already informed the Government about the threat to his life. The Chief Minister, who is in charge of the Home Department, didn’t provide security to him. Consequently, the 84-year-old saint was killed. The Chief Minister should make people know why he couldn’t protect Saraswati’s life,” demanded Sharma.
He too refuted Pradhan’s charge that the BJD-BJP tie up had been snapped for Kandhamal riot in which many people have been killed. “When the ghastly incident occurred in 2008, BJD and BJP were together in Government. The alliance was snapped over disagreement in seat sharing just before 2009 general elections. Hence Pradhan’s allegation is completely baseless,” he observed.
Sharma too slammed the BJD Government for not inviting BJP MlAs and MP to programmes which are implemented with Central funds.
Among others, party spokespersons Sudipta Ray and Dillip Mohany were present.