TV
Bhubaneswar: Citing that Kendrapara MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda submitted a false affidavit during the 2014 general elections, BJD leaders belonging to the Kendrapara parliamentary constituency region demanded the parliamentarian’s resignation from the Lok Sabha on moral grounds.
Addressing a press conference, BJD leaders including Patkura MLA Ved Prakash Agarwal, Mahanga MLA Pratap Jena, Mahakalpara MLA Atanu Sabyasachi among others accused the Parliamentarian of cheating and misleading party, party leadership and people of Kendrapara by concealing the fact that he is working as an employee of IMFA.
Reading out from a printed document, senior leader and BJD vice president Ved Prakash Agarwal alleged that MP Jay Panda had misled voters by concealing facts about holding a profitable post in IMFA company.
Agarwal stated that, Baijayant Panda is an employee of IMFA and has been drawing salary as per provisions contained in section 17 (1) of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961 and perquisites under 17 (2). In the last few years, Panda has drawn annual salary and allowances amounting to Rs 2.79 crore, Rs 1.45 crore, Rs 1.61 crore and Rs 7.66 crore from IMFA as Vice chairman.
The fact that Panda is a paid employee and working as vice chairman in IMFA has been concealed in affidavit dated March 21, 2014 filed with his nomination papers for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he said.
"What made Panda to conceal such facts? He has cheated and misled the party, party leadership and above all the people of Kendrapara parliamentary constituency. He has lost all moral authority to continue as the Member of Parliament from Kendrapara. Hence we demand he should immediately resign," BJD Spokesperson Sasmit Patra said.
Reacting to allegations, Jay Panda stated "It is unfortunate that they don't understand the concept of office of profit. It doesn't apply in case of posts held in private companies."
MP Jay Panda’s political secretary Jyoti Prakash Ghose said “The allegations against the parliamentarian are baseless and without any legality. It's purely a conspiracy by 3rd floor to confuse to general public.”
