A fresh round of confrontation has started between the ruling-Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the ongoing income tax raids since Monday.
Raids were conducted on the property of BJD leaders Benudhar Pradhan, who is the vice chairperson of Nayagarh’s Bhapur block, and Bhramarabara Nayak, who is the vice chairperson of Balasore’s Soro block. While Pradhan’s Sadasiba Construction company, residence and a crusher unit were raided, Nayak’s kalyan mandap, hotel and a petrol pump were raided by IT authorities.
Similarly, simultaneous raids were carried out on the residence, office and a crusher unit owned by Krupasindhu Muduli, a noted businessman of Ganjam district. It is alleged that Krupasindhu funds BJD as well as other parties.
A team of the Income Tax department also raided a contract firm, Trishakti Construction in Daringbadi and property of a crusher owner and his associate in Sambalpur.
Similarly on Tuesday evening as well, IT raids were reported at multiple places in Dharmashala area of Jajpur district. According to sources, the IT department carried out raids at stone crusher units and a petrol pump in the area. As many as four crusher units were raided while a petrol pump was also under IT department scanner.
Sources informed that raids were carried out at Muduli petrol pump and JBS crusher unit at Chadheidhara. Similarly, IT officials reportedly raided SN crusher unit at Bichhakhandi, Punjabi crusher unit at Rahadapur, and Amit crusher unit at Dankari.
“We are fully cooperating with them (IT officials). They have sought some original documents,” informed Bharat Kumar Behera, PRO of one of the construction firms raided by the IT authorities.
Since most of the raided persons have BJD links, the conch party alleged that the BJP is intentionally getting the raids conducted ahead of the general elections.
“It shows how vindictive the central government is. Since the general election is approaching, the BJD leaders are being targeted intentionally,” alleged ruling BJD MLA, Parshuram Dhada.
However, the BJP refuted the allegations.
“If they are honest, why are they afraid? The BJP is in no way connected with the Income Tax. If a BJP leader does not pay taxes, will the Income Tax department let him go? They are scared because they are sitting on mountains of cash,” said BJP State President, Manmohan Samal.
In this regard, Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said, “The raids are being carried out on the property of either BJD leaders or their associates. If the raids are being carried out intentionally, it is unfortunate. The central government will conduct IT raids and the State government, in turn, will conduct vigilance or GST raids. This is not a good sign.”