Departed BJD leader’s name finds mention in party's executive members list

The name of senior BJD woman leader from Ganjam, Minakshi Mishra, who passed away after attempting self-immolation two years back, has found mention in the list of executive body members of Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD).

Bharatiya Janata Party, meanwhile, criticised the ruling party for adding Mishra’s name in the list of executive body members.

BJP state executive committee member Kanhu Charan Pati said, “The ruling party has the habit of adding name of non-existing people in ration cards and giving allowances to ghosts. So it is nothing new that the government has added a deceased women leader’s name in the list of executive body members of Biju Mahila Janata Dal.”

Pati further said, “Be it Awas Yojana, distribution of ration cards or making the list of executive body members , this government is not leaving anybody not even dead people.  It is shameful that Minakshi immolated herself in front of the office of Superintendent of office seeking justice for her son in February, 2020. Even though she died, she is yet to get justice. Even after two years of her death, main culprits in Minakshi’s case are yet to be nabbed.”

According to sources, the BJD leader had sustained 90 per cent burn injuries when she set fire upon herself in protest against the arrest of her son in front of the Berhampur SP office.

The women BJD leader took everybody by surprise when she poured kerosene and set herself on fire in front of the SP office.

She was rescued by police personnel present in the office and rushed to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital with over 90 per cent burn injuries. However, she succumbed to her injuries at SCB Medical in Cuttack.