Hundreds of BJP members led by State president Samir Mohanty took out a ‘Sadbhabana’ rally from the party headquarters and later tried to gherao the State Assembly here on Saturday.
Alleging deteriorating in the law and order situation in the State, they demanded an impartial probe into the Mahanga double murder case and arrest of local MLA and Minister Pratap Jena and all other accused named in the FIR.
Samir Mohanty demanded an investigation into the irregularities committed in the allotment of pucca houses under the PM Awas Yojana and arrest of all the accused involved in murder of BJP leaders in Mahanga. Alleging that the Chief Minister is shielding Jena, he said the BJP would intensify its agitation till the Minister is ousted from the Cabinet.
However, a scuffle ensued between police and protestors as the latter tried to break the barricades put up by police force. Many agitators, including women, were taken into preventive custody by police.
The issue had its echo in the State Assembly with Opposition BJP and Congress demanding resignation and action against Minister Jena for his alleged involvement in the crime.
During the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik (BJP) said an FIR has been lodged against the Minister for his alleged involvement in the double murder case, but action is yet to be taken against him.
BJP Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi urged the Chief Minister to take action against Jena.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra and MLA Santosh Singh Saluja also demanded Jena’s resignation. Mishra said it is very unfortunate that an FIR has been lodged against a Minister.
Alleging that the Mahanga murders took place due to corruption in housing schemes, Saluja demanded action against Jena.Countering the allegations, BJD MLA Byomakesh Ray questioned why BJP Mahanga leader Sarada Pradhan has not been arrested even if he is allegedly involved in several crimes.
“He (Pradhan) is facing several criminal cases starting from dacoity to attempted murder. He had also served jail term for 22 days earlier. In 1957, his name was in BPL list but within next 3 to 4 years he became owner of property worth crores,” Ray alleged.