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Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP today attacked BJD for appointing a "tainted" person as president of its Minority Cell of Kendrapara district, saying it "exposes" the stand of the ruling party in tackling rampant corruption in the State.
Mir Muzib Baksh, the newly appointed president of the Minority Cell, is involved in Mid-Day Meal scam of over Rs 50 lakh. Several cases under IPC 420, 407, 409 and 120B have been registered against Baksh.
As per reports, the Bhadrak district project management had selected one Sisir Kumar Rout as the agent for the distribution of Mid-Day Meal in seven blocks and two municipalities in the district for the year 2015-16. However, Rout gave the Power of Attorney to Baksh to carry out the duties in his absence.
It is alleged that during 2015-16, Baksh lifted a total of 51725.28 quintals of rice for distribution but distributed only 49568.90 quintals at school points. Protesting it, the district nodal officer lodged a complaint against him with the district police which later registered a case of fraud.
In its investigation, the district police found misappropriation of 2156.38 quintals of rice. However, Baksh is currently out on bail in connection with the case.
Training guns on the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, BJP questioned the move of BJD and asked on what circumstances a tainted person was appointed to such a post. "The BJD has become a syndicate of corrupt leaders and Mir Muzib Baksh is one of them," said BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty.
Meanwhile, rumors are making rounds that Baksh is close to some senior BJD leaders including Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Kishore Chandra Tarai and on their recommendation the appointment has been made.
On the other hand, some are suspecting that the CM was put in dark regarding Baksh's appointment and alleged that it is part of a conspiracy to malign the image of Patnaik.
