The controversy over leader of Opposition (loP) Narasingha Mishra’s questions to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik pertaining to the BJD’s bank accounts has taken a new turn after the ruling party explained the sources of its funding.
Mishra has shot another barrage of questions to the BJD regarding its alleged links with the Birla group.
“Today, you confessed that you received funding from the Aditya Birla group. Perhaps, you were ashamed to say this before and now accepting it out of compulsion. I am not disputing that your accounts have not been audited. But my question is: Did you get this money in lieu of recommending a coal block for Birla even after the Central Government’s denialIJ Are you ready to face a probe over thisIJ” questioned Mishra.
He once again targeted the BJD over its alleged chit fund connections.
Mishra said he has never stated that the BJD received `8 crore from chit fund companies. “It was a separate question. My question was: Is the PC Padhi, who deposited cash for the BJD, the same one with chit fund connectionsIJ They could have said no. However, they took six hours to answer it and managed to find a PC Padhi at the Naveen Nivas. It proves that Naveen Patnaik, his Government and his associates are linked to the chit fund scam some way or the other,” he added.
BJD Spokesperson and MlA Samir Dash, on the other hand, replying to the allegations, said, “Not only BJD, but also BJP and Mishra’s own party Congress received funds from donors. The Congress has received funds to the tune of Rs 100 crore. Can he explain what recommendations his party madeIJ So far as an investigation is concerned, we would welcome it.”