Even as it is alleged that the Chief Minister is shielding tainted city Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena and influence a probe by the Commissionerate police, on the streets, there seems to be deliberate tit-for-tat act by the ruling BJD, especially the Mayor supporters, to foil the agitation of the opposition parties, which has now upped the ante over the sex scandal tape and engineering student Rishi death case.
By now at least, the raving and ranting by the agitating Congress and BJP activists looks defeated by a defiant CM keeping mum while the whistleblowers in the case are seemingly in a state of fear. The CM is acting in a manner as if he does not care a hoot for the Opposition”s demand for axing the Mayor. He looks to be finding little worth in the gumption of the Congress and the BJP that probe could be influenced if the Mayor stays put.
On Thursday, two friends of Rishi sought police protection before divulging details on the murder case and sex scandal which are stated to be interlinked. The duo pals of the deceased engineering student, who want to spill the beans in the twin cases, had masked them so as not be identified, which indicates that they were scared. This also fuels the speculation of a covert attempt to spread dread among the people who want to provide proof against the Mayor.
Earlier, Student Congress president Itish Pradhan after exposing the sex tape had gone underground and reappeared in a rally where his party stood by him. It is not difficult to know that a scared Pradhan had to be at large as after the expose, he had been under threat. The Commissioner of Police though has clarified that his department was under no pressure in the case and assured of protection to all who want to provide proof or act as witness in the two crimes.
On Wednesday, the city witnessed rioting and hooliganism as the BJD youth wing took out a bike rally without prior information of the police and clashed with the BJP supporters who were holding a rally demanding the Mayor”s resignation. The police had to resort to lathicharge to dispel the mob and later arrested two each from BJP and BJD for the clash.
On Thursday, the Congress which was holding a demonstration in front of the BMC office too was obstructed as the BMC had put up two cattle catching vehicles to sabotage the protest. The BJP has knocked at the doors of the State Governor and the DGP against the BJD hooliganism and demanded action against the ruling party workers for involving in a clash with the BJP workers.