The Utkal Bharat on Friday came down heavily on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and called him as an “enemy” of the Odia race for allegedly hatching a conspiracy against former Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra by lodging a Vigilance case against him to prevent him from becoming CBI Director.
Utkal Bharat president MA Kharabela Swain told mediapersons here that while there is a bright possibility for an Odia IPS officer, Prakash Mishra, to occupy the post of CBI chief shortly, the role of the State Government, particularly of the Chief Minister, in lodging a Vigilance case against him at this particular period of time is condemnable. By doing so, the Chief Minister proves himself as the enemy of the Odia people.
Swain said, “Mishra is perceived to be a police officer of impeccable integrity, courage and efficiency all over the country. There is no doubt about his sense of discipline as he has successfully served as the chief of NIA and NDRF at the national level.”
“The Chief Minister had appointed Mishra as DGP in 2012. If he was involved in financial irregularities during his stint as the OPHWC chief during 2006-2009 then how did the CM appoint him as DGPIJ It is now clear that the sole aim of the case lodged against Mishra is to prevent him from becoming CBI Director,” said Swain.
Swain said since the Central investigating agency is probing the mega chit fund scam and many ruling party people are under its scanner the Chief Minister feels that an upright officer like Mishra would not spare anybody if he becomes CBI Director.