Politics Intensifies Over Pradip Majhi's Arson Instigating Statement

Bhubaneswar: Amid massive uproar over Congress leader Pradip Majhi's statement instigating arson, the State unit of BJP on Sunday alleged that the ex-MP made such inflammatory comments on the direction of his party high command.

"It is not possible that a State leader will give such a comment without direction of their party supremo Sonia Gandhi. We want Congress party to take action against Pradip Majhi for his objectionable comment," said BJP Spokesperson Golak Mohapatra at a press conference here today.

In response to BJP's statement, Congress leader Prashant Satpathy said, "Kosagumuda case and Citizenship Amendment Act are being politicized and the entire state is watching how BJD and BJP are singing the same tune. But we hope that BJP should not act as a shield for BJD."

Majhi on Saturday released a statement to All India Congress Committee (AICC), through OPCC, explaining his behaviour.

Nabarangpur Police on Friday registered a suo-motu case against Majhi for purportedly provoking supporters to carry out arson attack while staging protest against alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Kosagumuda area on December 14.

Earlier on Thursday, Majhi was heard telling party workers to set ablaze everything after getting orders. The matter came to fore after a video of the phone conversation during a bandh call by the party in Nabarangpur surfaced on social media. Following the incident, the State unit of Congress had sought an explanation from Majhi.