Bhubaneswar: Coming down heavily on the ruling BJD after the second phase panchayat elections, Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan today alleged the ruling regional party is using the bureaucracy for its own interest and creating a panicky environment to terrorise people.
The union minister suggested the Naveen Patnaik-led party to accept the change what citizens want. “They should refrain from hatching conspiracy with the bureaucrats in 3rd floor. People have started rebelling against the BJD. Odisha is now heading towards a big change. This is just the beginning and those who have a little trust on democracy, they should accept the change”, Pradhan told reporters here today.
“When people want to root out the monopoly government, why they are feeling difficulties in accepting it?” he added.
Replying on the BJD’s allegation that BJP has only dragged Congress vote, the Oil minister clarified the BJD candidate in Malkangiri was defeated in a big margin while there is clear mandate in Kalahandi. “The friend from BJD in Malkangiri Zilla Parishad zone-the epicentre of Japanese Encephalitis, lost the poll in 6,000 margin and the district of Dana Majhi – Kalahandi - has a clear mandate. People from tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj have stared rebelling against the government. So, who has a secret understanding with Congress?” he asked.
On the allegation of BJD that BJP used money and muscle from neighbouring State, Pradhan said the State investigating agencies are coming under them and they can investigate it. He said the BJD should feel shame while talking on black money. “750 crore have been deposited in Jan Dhan accounts in Odisha. They should clarify on it”, he pointed out.
On the other hand, BJD held the saffron party responsible for the violence. “yes, violence has risen. BJP should first give evidence on involvement in violence. It should react on the murder of BJD worker in Niali. They are habituated in connecting the 3rd floor in every matter”, BJD spokesman Sashi Bhushan Behera said.
He asserted that BJD has remained in No 1 position and will continue to be in that. BJP is happy just after rising from third to second position, he maintained.
The BJD legislator further said Pradhan is not the right authority to seek the accountancy of Jan Dhan account. “Is he the inspector that we would give him clarification on the deposit in Jan Dhan accounts”, he asked.