Odisha Minister Seeks Union Minister Bisheswar Tudu's Scalp Over Beating Govt Officials

Revenue Minister of Odisha, Sudam Marndi on Sunday lashed out at Union Tribal Affairs Minister of State Bisheswar Tudu for allegedly thrashing two State government officials on Friday.

While terming the case as shocking and first such incident in the entire country, Marndi has demanded the immediate ouster of the BJP leader from the Union Ministry.

Speaking to media persons over the case, Marndi said, "The Union Minister's act of assault against the government functionaries has tarnished the image of the entire Mayurbhanj district which Tudu himself represents in the Lok Sabha of the Parliament."

"We have come to know about several allegations on how he (Tudu) had been executing the works through the officials by sheer threat. If he is not dismissed soon, the entire unit of Mayurbhanj BJD will raise its voice over the issue," warned Marndi.

On the other hand, Baripada BJP MLA Prakash Soren has ruled out the beating incident as purely fictional.

"From the viral audio cassette of the incident, it is clear that the entire incident was pre-planned," claimed Soren.

BJD has failed to galvanise its force in Mayurbhanj and so is using ill methods to spoil the image of the Union Minister, said the BJP MLA.

Meanwhile, Mayurbhanj ADM Rudra Narayan Mohanty has informed that all government officials in the district will launch a three-day protest from January 24 by wearing black badges as a mark of protest against the act by the Union Minister.

Notably, Tudu on Friday allegedly thrashed the District Planning Board Deputy Director Ashwini Mallik and Assistant Director Debashis Mohapatra after calling them to his party office for a review meeting in Baripada. Both of them were injured in the incident.

A case has been registered in the name of the Union Minister at Baripada Town Police Station under Sections 323, 325, 294 and 506 of IPC based on the allegations of attack leveled against him by the two officials.