Bhubaneswar: BJD’s Kendrapara district observer Pramila Mallick submitted her probe report on allegations against party MP Jay Panda today.
"I have submitted the report based on the feedback from party workers and discussions held with Jay Panda," said Mallick citing that there are feedback both in support and against the parliamentarian.
Mallick who was appointed by CM to probe allegations made by various party office bearers of Kendrapara district against Jay Panda, had earlier informed that she has completed her ground work and may submit the report today or tomorrow.
According to Mallick, she visited the Kendrapara district and met leaders and party workers and also held a telephonic conversation with Jay Panda.
As per Mallick, her report focuses on allegations against Jay Panda pertaining to neglect towards party workers, allocation of MPLAD funds without consulting party leaders and landing the party in trouble.
However, many have raised doubts over the thoroughness & impartiality of the probe citing short time frame and telephonic conversations.
Moreover, in another surprising turn to the string of events, a screenshot reportedly of Mallick’s cell phone emerged in social media showing calls made to private secretary of CM Naveen, V Karthikeyan Pandian. Later Mallick also agreed to have spoken to the bureaucrat during the course of her probe stoking apprehensions of undue influence and bias in investigation.
On the other hand, Jay Panda once again reiterated his allegations against the government officer, who has been in controversy for his excessive interference in politics.
While maintaining that he had no grudges against his party colleagues & office bearers making strange (& easily disproved) complaints against him, Jay Panda tweeted “Everyone knows who the villain is-the babu who now controls the party & is arm-twisting them. I'm fighting for their, my & Odisha's self respect.”
Meanwhile, the parliamentarian’s choice of social media for raising his grievances has not gone down well with Mallick and BJD’s Kendrapara district president, Dhruba Charan Sahoo.
“I would request MP Jay Panda to cooperate and air his grievances in appropriate forums. He should not do it before media and on social media displaying immaturity,” said Dhruba.
Replying to such accusations, Jay Panda’s political secretary Jyoti Prakash Ghose said that the parliamentarian had approached the party president many a time with his complaints. Moreover, politicians using social media to voice their personal opinions is not new, he added.