Bhubaneswar: BJP today demanded clarification from Odisha Chief Minister and CBI Director Ranjit Sinha on their meeting saying "people wants to know what transpired between them as Naveen Patnaik and his ministers are in the orbit of suspicion in coalgate, mining and chitfund scams".
"The meeting between the CBI director and the chief minister yesterday has sparked suspicion in the mind of people. Therefore, both should clarify as to what was discussed during their meeting," Odisha BJP Spokesman Suresh Pujari told reporters here.
Stating that it was unusual for head of the premier investigating agency meeting a chief minister, Pujari said that the meeting has raised eyebrows as CBI was probing alleged irregularities in coal sector, in which Patnaik's role was under scanner.
"Moreover, M B Shah Commission has recommended a CBI probe into the multi-crore mining scam in which the role of the chief minister, his ministers and officers is being questioned," the senior BJP leader said.
Yet another matter seeking a CBI probe into the serious chit fund scam, in which ruling BJD leaders are facing allegations, is under the consideration of the superme court, Pujari added.
Stating that the CBI chief was neither a close friend of Patnaik nor his relative, he said people wonder whether any secret understanding was discussed at the meeting as part of attempts by the UPA government at the centre and BJD regime in Odisha to suppress corruption cases.
"While Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha has openly opposed any CBI probe into mining scam despite Shah panel's recommendation, the centre does not appear to be keen to get the matter enquired by the premier agency," Pujari said.
The circumstances under which the meeting took place raises suspicion about possibility of a secret deal between the UPA government and BJD government in Odisha, he alleged.
Pujari said that the suspicion grew thicker particularly after Patnaik stayed away from a recent meeting of 11 non-UPA and non-NDA political parties in their bid to form a new front ahead of the coming polls even though he was among those who had mooted such a front.