Bhubaneswar:While the BJP moved the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking a probe into dubious poll funding charges against CM Naveen Patnaik, his party BJD today claimed the allegations as baseless and sought an apology from BJP.
“BJP has jumped onto the bandwagon which is unfortunate. I hope that the BJP has the good grace to issue a sincere apology to Naveen babu,” said BJD MP Pinaki Mishra at a press meet.
Meamwhile, BJP's State unit leaders today lodged a complaint with the ED seeking a probe into dubious poll funding charges against Patnaik.
Talking to media outside the Enforcement Directorate office, Samir Mohanty, BJP State vice president said, “We want the agency to probe who has donated money to the Chief Minister and the BJD. As the Chief Minister has already stated the charges are false and malicious, we have sought the ED help.”
On the other hand, the Orissa High Court deferred its hearing on a petition moved by BJP Hinjili candidate Debananda Mohapatra over dubious poll funding till July 31.
Yesterday, the BJP delegation including party national spokesperson Sambit Patra met the Election Commission of India and submitted a memorandum demanding disqualification of Patnaik as a legislator.
The team alleged Patnaik has filed false poll affidavit and thereby, he has committed a crime.
Patra claimed, “Naveen has filed a false poll affidavit and lied to people as well as the Election Commission as his poll affidavit shows Rs 13 lakh has been transferred to his bank account through RTGS. However, statement of expenditure mentioned in the party’s affidavit says Naveen did not get funds through RTGS. Instead Rs 16.48 lakh was transferred through bank cheque to Naveen’s account.”