Subal Sahu’s family was lured with benefits to join BJD: Congress

Bhubaneswar: Tightening grip over ongoing tug of war between major political parties ahead of Bijepur bypoll, senior Congress leader Sura Routray on Sunday alleged that the family of late Congress MLA Subal Sahu was ‘influenced’ to join the BJD.

According to Routray, BJD paid Subal Sahu’s family Rs 2 to 3 crore and a flat near AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. “BJD in a hurry decided to rope in Subal Sahu’s wife Rita Sahu as nominee for Bijepur bypoll and the move will cost the party dear,” said Routray.

Also Read: Bijepur bypoll: Late Cong MLA Subal Sahu’s wife named BJD candidate

Stoking the controversy  is ex-BJD MLA Ashok Panigrahi, who is all set to join BJP at a function to be organised at Barpali in Bargarh district tomorrow.  Union Ministers including Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram are likely to attend the event along with other leaders of the saffron brigade.

Panigrahi had also alleged that Rita Sahu and her family had received money and other benefits for joining the BJD.

Late Congress leader Subal Sahu’s wife Rita Sahu joined BJD on September 23 at BJD party headquarters in Bhubaneswar.

However, Sumit Sahu son of Rita has clearly refuted the allegations leveled by Congress.

“All such allegations are baseless. We do not have any flat or property in Bhubaneswar,” said Sumit.

BJD Spokesperson Prasant Nanda on the other hand challenged the Congress to bring evidence in connection with such allegations.