BJP State unit on Sunday demanded ouster of Ministers Sanjay Dasburma and Puspendra Singh Deo for their alleged involvement in the thrashing of party workers in Boudh district and also demanded immediate legal action against them.
Party vice-president Sameer Mohanty charged that the Minister duo instigated the ruling party workers to attack the BJP workers, including a backward class person, while the latter were protesting in a democratic manner in Manmunda in Boudh district on Friday.
The saffron party voiced the demand after a fact-finding team headed by party legislature wing leader KV Singh Deo visited Manmunda and inquired about the conditions of the injured party activists on Saturday.
“Even though an FIR has been filed against the two Ministers under Arms Act and SC/ST Act, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik did not drop them from the Council of Ministers. The probe will be affected if Sanjay Dasburma and Puspendra Singh Deo are not ousted,” Mohanty told reporters here.
He further demanded action against Begunia MlA Prasant Jagdev, corportaor Amresh Jena and party
general secretary Bijay Nayak for allegedly assaulting BJP workers.
“Since the Chief Minister is not ready to drop the accused from his Cabinet, we have little hope for the outcome of the investigation as they will influence the probe process,” said Mohanty.
He said the BJP would continue with its peaceful protests till the culprits are arrested and brought to book.