Bhubaneswar: The political landscape in Odisha has suddenly turned into a warzone with Odisha police issuing notices to two BJP leaders in connection with the brutal murder of Chhatrapur councillor, soon after CBI served notices to two BJD leaders in connection with the chit fund scam on Tuesday. Such actions of the State police and the CBI are believed to be strategies of the two possible alliance-partners to wield as much power as possible over each other.
“Whenever BJP national president visits Odisha, the saffron party remembers CBI and such notices are issued, it’s not new as it has happened earlier too,” said BJD spokesperson Sameer Das, adding that CM Naveen has never resorted to such vindictive politics in his last 19 years of rule.
"The way Chhatrapur Police has served notices to BJP leaders, it is quite clear that it’s politically motivated. Odisha government is using all its might to suppress people’s voice," alleged Odisha BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty.
Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik alleged that both the CBI and State police are being misused by the ruling parties of the state and at the centre to settle political scores. “As the general elections are round the corner, people will witness such things and these incidents will definitely be given a political colour,” said Patnaik.
On January 29, CBI served notices to two BJD MLAs Arun Sahoo and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak in connection with the chit fund scam and within a matter of a few hours; Odisha Police issued notices to BJP’s Golak Mohapatra and Bhrugu Buxipatra in connection with murder of councillor Laxmidutta Pradhan in 2017.
Responding to the police summons, Buxipatra said, “I am surprised as well as shocked. Police had filed a charge-sheet long ago but I was never summoned earlier. This shows the vindictive attitude of Odisha govt. Truth will find its way.”
Similarly, Mohapatra alleged that CM Naveen is twisting the law as per his wishes and termed the police action as an attempt of the Odisha government to threaten him.