Bhubaneswar: The opposition Congress and BJP in Odisha on Monday demanded the resignation of four BJD MLAs, who allegedly demanded money for facilitating setting up of industries in their constituencies.
The video footage of the four MLAs was aired on a local television channel which purportedly shows them demanding money for giving No Objection Certificate and facilitating land acquisition in their constituencies.
The MLAs of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) are Seemarani Nayak, Susant Kumar Behera, Bijay Kumar Nayak and Anam Nayak.
While Seemarani Nayak was seen demanding Rs 40 crore to give the certificate for a textile industry in her constituency, Behera demanded Rs 8 crore to take care of the people during land acquisition and giving NOC to set up a power plant.
Bijay Nayak asked for Rs 5 crore for setting up a power plant in Karanjia and Anam Nayak also demanded money for a power industry in Kalahandi district, according to the footage of the television channel.
Soon after the incident was aired, opposition Congress and BJP mounted an attack on the ruling party. The activists of both the parties took out rallies at several places in the state and burnt their effigies.
"The incident has punctured the so-called clean image of Naveen Patnaik. Besides, it has also highlighted what difficulties the industries are facing in the state," said BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty.
He said the ruling party was collecting election fund from industries for Panchayat elections.
Meanwhile, BJD spokesperson Sashibhusan Behera said the party president is aware of the incident and would take action at the right time.