Dubious poll funding: CM Naveen terms allegations malicious, hints at legal action

Bhubaneswar: Terming the allegations of discrepancies in poll funds as malicious and fabricated, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said BJD will take legal action in the matter.

After returning from his 5-day New Delhi tour to attend the 200th anniversary of Paika Rebellion on Sunday, Naveen admitted to conspiracies being hatched to malign the party.

All the allegations are malicious, fabricated and false. We will take legal action if needed

- Naveen Patnaik

However, BJP alleged that instead of replying to the actual question, the CM is trying to divert the topic by asserting that his party will take legal recourse and there is no coherence in EC affidavit and the statements of the party.

In a press meet today, BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty questioned whether the money deposited in the ruling party’s bank account is amassed through percentage commissioning in works and water resources departments and the money received as funds from the chit fund companies that duped lakhs of investors in the State.

Replying to a media question on BJD’s win in Nuapada, Naveen said the BJP came third in the Zilla Parisad (ZP) election. Besides, taking a dig at the BJP president from the district, the CM said Basant Panda couldn’t even win a single seat.

Also Read: Dubious funding: Naveen should make BJD’s transactions public, says BJP

On the other hand, senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said BJP, BJD or Congress, no parties can come clear on the expenses incurred during elections, adding that all want to grab power by using illegal means.