BJD demands Tytler's withdrawal from Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With a Delhi court ordering reopening of a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case involving senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, the ruling BJD in Odisha on Wednesday demanded his removal as AICC in-charge of the state.

"Congress President Sonia Gandhi should withdraw Tytler from Odisha. After being appointed as AICC in-charge of Odisha, Tytler has been touring across the state and making baseless allegations against state government and Chief Minister," said BJD vice-president and health minister Damodar Rout.

Stating that the Court reopened the case where Tytler was named, Rout said, "We will like to tell Congress president Sonia Gandhi to ask the UPA government to initiate proceeding against Tytler as per law."

Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) stood by Tytler and argued that there was no question of taking action against the AICC in-charge of the party in Odisha. "The court has directed CBI to reopen the case and not convicted him," said OPCC president Nirajnaj Patnaik.

Though Tytler is presently on a visit to Odisha, he was not immediately available for comment.