Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Jual Oram today said the BJD is trying to divert the alleged dubious poll funding issue by bringing in false accusations against him.
Accusing Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government of trying to mislead people, Oram said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik must resign first as the preliminary investigation proves that he had filed false poll affidavit during the 2014 elections and thereby, committed a crime.
“BJD’s claim of irregularities in my poll expense is baseless. There is no mismatch in poll expense figures stated in my affidavit. The allegations are borne out of mere political vendetta,” said Oram.
“The CM must, first, resign on moral grounds for submitting false affidavit. If any irregularity in my poll expense comes to fore, I will resign immediately,” Oram dared Naveen.
On the other hand, BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty, in a press conference organised here at the party headquarters today, alleged that BJD is even violating the constitutional norms to prove the allegations wrong.
Mounting his attack on the Chief Minister, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “He (Naveen) is pressurising the Election Commission to dilute the matter. What he is afraid of?"
Also Read: BJD Charges Oram Of Filing False Affidavit
Replying to BJP’s allegation, BJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Pratap Deb said both the State Bank of India and BJD clarified on the questions raised about the cheque and account in the name of the party; however, being left with nothing, BJP is raising false allegations to settle political scores and belittle the government’s image.
Also Read: Dubious Poll Funding: CM Naveen Terms Allegations Malicious, Hints At Legal Action