Bhubaneswar: Even as the debate over chit-fund- Ollywood link is mounting by the day, actor-politician Anubhav Mohanty today said the media is unnecessarily dragging the issue.
"The allegation of Ollywood nexus with chit fund companies has no base. You are unnecessarily making it an issue which has no veracity. I request all media persons not to do it always", Mohanty told newsmen here.
"Nobody can know the source of somebody's financial status. However, the Crime Branch can interrogate anyone it wants", the actor-turned parliamentarian said.
Similarly, BJD MLA and actor Akash Das Nayak has given himself a clean chit over the alleged artists’ link with the ponzi scam.
"Neither I have made any fiscal transaction with any of the chit fund companies nor done any movie with the chit fund invested money. Moreover, I would like to make it clear that I have no role in Oscar produced films," the Korei legislator said.
"I demand a transparent inquiry and justice to the poors", he said.
Talking about the actors participating in politics, Das Nayak said "There is no problem if an actor does politics. Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo sang for 'Balunga Toka' and 'Rangila Toka'. Can we say he had chit fund link? he asked.
On the other side, BJD vice-president and Excise minister Damodar Rout, known for his bold and blatant statements, said any film stars doing politics within BJD would be expelled if a little bit of proof of their complicity is found.
"We have not invited any cine star to the party. They have applied through somebody to join the party after being inspired by other artists across the country joining politics. We also received them as crowd pullers. But if we get an iota of proof, we would show them the exit door of the party", Rout said.
Another BJD minister, Debi Prasad Mishra suggested the Opposition parties to come up with facts. "They target for the sake of opposition. The allegation should be based on facts. Otherwise, it would vanish gradually", Mishra said, adding that the Chief Minister will initiate immediate action if the allegation is true.
Notably, the Opposition BJP and Congress have been demanding action against some actor-turned BJD leaders ever since the matter of Ollywood-Oscar chit fund link cropped up.