BJP targets BJD over Pratap Jena’s appointment as Kendrapara district observer

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday slammed the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the appointment of Pratap Jena as the party observer for Kendrapara district.

Addressing a presser in Bhubaneswar today, State BJP vice-president, Lekhashree Samantsinghar said that the BJD is present wherever there is crime, corruption, and other issues. The party is not at all concerned over who is involved in crimes, rather they are only focusing on ensuring a political stronghold.

Samantsinghar alleged that two Ministers- Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Ranendra Pratap Swain are linked to the Kendrapara minor girl gang rape case and no action has been taken against them. Moreover, the BJD is trying to indulge in violence politics by giving responsibility of Kendrapara district to Pratap Jena, who is accused in the sensational Mahanga double murder case.

“Wherever there is rape in Odisha, BJD is there. It clearly shows that BJD is a party of rapists. Be it Samir Dash, Arun Sahoo, Dibya Shankar Mishra, or Bijay Shankar Das. We condemn corruption that the ruling party has brought in the last 23 years,” alleged Samantsinghar.

According to Samantsinghar, Pratap Jena, who is accused in the Mahanga double murder case, has been appointed observer.

"Jena entered politics from Mahanaga in 2009 and we had not heard about such crimes and political murders. There have been five political murders since then and it is alleged that Jena has direct or indirect links in them," she added. Meanwhile, no comments have been received from the BJD leaders.