Bhubaneswar: Asking the Odisha government not to gloat over arrest of the leader of an 'illegal outfit', the Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra today said though the top maoist Sabyasachi Panda's means of struggle was not within norms, but he fought against injustice.
Mishra said this in the assembly soon after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced arrest of Sabyasachi Panda.
"I am sure this August House will join me in congratulating all the police personnel particularly the intelligence wing and Berhampur Police who participated in this operation," Patnaik had said.
Mishra quipped however, "Arresting the symptom will not solve the problem. Disease should be arrested."
He said the cause of maoist movement need to be stemmed. The state government's attention should be more on the eradication of poverty.
As the treasury bench members strongly protested his statement, Mishra retorted saying, "You are also breaking the law. This government is violating law every time forcing the opposition members to rush to well of the House."
Mishra claimed that this government has all along described the maoist issue as a socio-economic problem. "I would be happy if the issues are arrested instead of persons," Mishra said.
Stating that he was not defending Panda, the Congress leader said the law will take its course in case of the maoist leader for adopting the illegal means. He, however, said the other people who are violating the law of the land should also be punished.
Mishra also claimed that the ministers used to give statement on the judicial commission's report to media while it was not placed in the House. "If you (Speaker) cannot protect dignity of the House, who will?" Mishra asked.