Bhubaneswar: The CPM on Friday urged the ruling BJD government in Odisha to make its stand clear on whether the CBI has the soft corner for the state government in the chit fund scam investigation as per the directive of the Centre.
“There is a growing apprehension among the people of Odisha on the modus operandi of the CBI in its investigation into the chit fund scam. Needless to say, the CBI receives the order and messages from the prime minister’s office (PMO). May be the central investigating agency is deliberately delaying the investigation as per the order of the PMO”, CPM secretary general Sitaram Yechury told OTV.
He said considering the plight of the people in the country, the Odisha chief minister, keeping this in view, has to take a clear stand for the betterment of the people of the state.
“If Naveen Babu fails in his stand, the people would obviously come to a conclusion that the Centre is putting pressure on the CBI,” he remarked.
Asked whether the Odisha chief minister should take his stand against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, Yechury said it is up to the chief minister to decide.
“What I want to say is that the manner in which the BJP government has launched economic assault on the people of the country must be stopped. Since it is necessary to ensure the financial security of the people, the BJD should make it stand clear in the Parliament,” he pointed out.
Replying to a question on whether the BJD should take a clear stand on the proposed Land Acquisition Bill and General Services Tax (GST) Bill by the Centre, the CPM leader said the issue is not on these two bills.
“Just see the economic policy of the Centre which has resulted in the heavy loss in agriculture, industrial production and manufacturing sectors. Not only this, there is a steep rise in the price of essential commodities. It is not a financial burden on the people? Taking all these into consideration, the Odisha government should vehemently oppose the Centre. The chief minister should give a clarification to the people as to why is not opposing the Centre. After all, he is accountable to the people who have elected him as the chief minister, he observed.
Asked whether the CPM still considers the BJD as its ally after its split in 2009, Yechury said the BJD has been benefited by alliance it had with the CPM.