Bhubaneswar: Upping his ante against the State government, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati today demanded CBI probe into the allegations of irregularities in 'daru' (holy log) selection.
Alleging that some influential people are involved in the matter, Bahinipati stated truth will come out once the central investigating agency conducts a probe.
"Undoubtedly Jagannath lovers have been hurt due to the recent allegations of irregularities in 'daru' selection. The State government should order CBI probe as former minister and bureaucrats are involved in it," he added.
Commenting on the matter BJP MLA KV Singhdeo said there is no guarantee that an investigation will yield any result as past record shows report of the judicial inquiry ordered by the State government has not been presented before the public.
Refuting the charges Odisha Law Minister Pratap Jena said the State government had ordered an inquiry and the process has begun.
"This allegation is only a political ploy to malign the image of BJD. If there was an attempt to hide anything we would not have ordered for an inquiry and begin process to take action against those who are involved in it," stated Jena.
Meanwhile, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati said, "Why the SJTA is directionless and in deep slumber? The administration should present the issue before me to get clarified."