Opposition fumes over 'daru' selection irregularities; demands probe

Bhubaneswar: Targeting the ruling-BJD over irregularities in 'daru' (holy tree logs) selection and brahma paribartan fiasco, the Opposition political parties today demanded high level probe into the allegations under the supervision of a court.

While the Odisha unit of BJP has sought a special investigation team (SIT) probe into the issue, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati today demanded a probe by a sitting judge.

BJP spokesperson Pitambar Acharya said an SIT under the supervision of a court should conduct an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the 'daru' selection. He also sought a clarification from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and asked him to order for a CBI probe.

“An independent inquiry should be carried out to look into the conspiracy behind the ‘Daru’ selection and the monetary transaction involved in the deal, said Acharya in a presser.

"#Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik should give a clarification on the #BrahmaParibartanFiasco. It's a religious & financial conspiracy and an investigation should be initiated to expose those involved in the deal," says BJP Spokesperson Pitambar Acharya at a presser pic.twitter.com/KYEFfhewhH

— OTV (@otvnews) November 15, 2018

When crores of property was misappropriated and Ratna Bhandar key went missing, the State government should have at least requested the CBI for a probe or moved the Supreme Court or High Court for a CBI investigation, he added.

On the other hand, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged that a Rajya Sabha member from the BJD is involved in the 'daru' selection irregularities. He further accused Law Minister Arun Sahoo of having a role in the Brahma Paribartan fiasco.

"Brahma Paribartan fiasco is an outcome of issues over daru slection. The BJD leader who has taken money is now a Rajya Sabha member. I request the court to order for a probe under supervision of a sitting judge," stated Bahinipati.

#WATCH: Senior #Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleges involvement of a #BJD Rajya Sabha member & a minister in #BrahmaParibartanFiasco; demands investigation by a sitting Orissa High Court Judge #Odisha pic.twitter.com/a1HnldO3fb

— OTV (@otvnews) November 15, 2018

OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik also took to Twitter and came down heavily on the ruling-BJD.

"Revelations by ‘Mukhya Biswakarma’ of the Debadalana Chariot on #BrahmaParibartanFiasco are appalling... BJD has insulted the faith of crores of Lord Jagannath devotees.
B - ବାରମ୍ବାର
J - ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ସହିତ
D - ଧୋକା, " tweets OPCC Chief Niranjan Patnaik pic.twitter.com/zh2hJ17anx

— OTV (@otvnews) November 15, 2018

Commenting on the matter BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said, "They (Opposition) are levelling allegations only for the sake of it and should not indulge in hurting religious sentiments of the people."

Yesterday, chief Maharana (carpenter) of Debadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra who was in-charge of construction of new idols of the holy Trinity during the Nabakalebara ceremony in 2015 blamed the daitapati servitors for the fiasco and alleged that there were massive irregularities in ‘daru’ selection.