In no mood to let the ruling party go scot free, the Odisha Congress upped its ante against the Naveen Patnaik led BJD government. After earlier demanding sacking of MoS (Home) Dibya Shankar Mishra from State Cabinet, the party today demanded a probe on the call records of the Minister.
Speaking to press, Congress Spokesperson, Debashish Patnaik saw a plot in the escape and subsequent arrest of the prime accused by Odisha police. "There is more than what meets to eyes, therefore our party demands a thorough probe of the call records of Sahu and the Minsiter," he said and further added that Odisha Governor should exercise his powers to direct CM Naveen Patnaik for appropriate action in the case.
Earlier, the Congress party has pelted eggs at MoS (Home) Dibya Shankar Mishra's house. The party's fact-finding team had even visited the victim's house and demanded death penalty to Gobinda Sahu. The party has also demanded job and financial assistance for the family.
Party veterans like Narasingha Mishra and Bhakta Charan Das have also launched an all-round attack on the Odisha government over the Mamita murder case. While the Congress Legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra said that if victim's parent are willing , I will fight the case in the courtroom.
Bhakta Das, who was former MP from Kalahandi, said Gobinda Sahu flourished under the tutelage of minister Dibya Shankar Mishra. "CM should sack him from the State Cabinet, " he demanded.
As per political observers, the Congress Party's latest probe demand is seen as a trap to force MoS (Home) to resign. Because, as per the propriety of democracy, a probe is not possible on a sitting minister. This is akin to having the best of world in both hands - if BJD decides against probe, then it can accuse the ruling party of protecting its skin; and if orders probe then Minsiter has to step down.
Responding to the attack, BJD MLA Byomkesh Ray said, “It is a ploy by the Opposition to defame the party ahead of the Panchayat polls. The BJD-led by CM Naveen Patnaik always has delivered justice to all,” he said.
(Edited By Sanjeev Patro)