Odisha CM is drunk with power: Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, being drunk with power is totally blind to the agony of the people of Odisha and he will be cursed for that, said senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday while targeting the former over the Kunduli gang rape incident.

Addressing the public during a broadcast event of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan cited that Haryana government had handed over a similar case to the CBI and dared Patnaik to order a CBI probe of the Kunduli case.

"Manipulation of forensic report had earlier been reported in Anjana Mishra gang rape case. After the rape of a dalit girl was proved and allegations were leveled against Odisha police and DGP, the Chief Minister is acting ignorant," alleged Pradhan.

In response to Pradhan's allegations, BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy said the people of Odisha are watching who is drunk with power.

"A judicial inquiry of the Kunduli incident is underway. Many cases had been handed over to the CBI earlier but people of the State are still unaware about the proceedings. The demand for a CBI probe is just part of a campaign by the BJP and I think that judicial probe is the best option," said Satpathy.

He further added that all are sympathetic to the Kunduli gang rape victim and no one is trying to suppress the truth.