Bhubaneswar: War of words ensued between BJD and BJP on Monday following a mounted attack by the ruling party spokesperson Pratap Deb on Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his photos with accused of Vyapam scam and Petroleum Ministry document leak case.
Deb said, “He (Dharmendra Pradhan) was having photos with the accused, who is involved in the Petroleum Ministry document leak case. Besides, in another example, the main accused of the Vayapam scam had booked air ticket for him (Pradhan). This is the third instance of such kind of connections.”
Deb further stated, “Before pointing fingers towards other party leaders, he (Pradhan) should look into his closet.”
Countering the attack, BJP State President Basant Panda said, “The chief minister should think about Saroj who is staying at his house. Even the BJD should also think about it.”
Referring to the attack on Pradhan, Panda added, “Regarding the issue which is being raked up, the chief minister is only responsible as he has been the Home Minister of the State for 16 years.”
On Pradhan’s congratulatory message in a magazine of Dhalasamant brothers, the BJP State President said, “It is not an issue that Dharmendra went to the function. The chief minister had also given his message along with signature. Patnaik is the Home Minister and if he does not know about the Dhalasamants, it is very unfortunate.”
Deb, who was still in attacking mode, commented, “Every political leader including the Prime Minister gives message. Though he (Pradhan) has addressed the Dhalasamant as brother and Baimundi of Cuttack, he says that he did not know about them.”
He added, “Former minister Sameer De, who represented Cuttack for more than once, must have known about this thing at least. After roaring for one-and-half years on the ruling party, in today’s context the statement of the BJP is unfair.”
In the past few days, the Union Petroleum minister is under attack from BJD for his alleged links with arrested notorious don Dhalasamant brothers.