BJP questions Naveen Patnaik’s silence after former BJD MLA named in Pitabas Panda murder case

In a sharp political attack, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lashed out on Thursday at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik after police arrested former BJD MLA Bikram Panda as the prime accused in the Pitabas Panda murder case.

Also Read: We’re shocked! Family of murdered Pitabas Panda stunned by involvement of close acquaintances

Recalling the former chief minister’s earlier statement that “law will take its course”, the BJP questioned why Naveen Patnaik is now allegedly adopting a ‘double standard’ when one of his own party leaders faced serious criminal charges.

The saffron party has demanded to know why the BJD and its leadership appeared to be defending Panda instead of allowing an impartial investigation.

“All of a sudden, why has Naveen Patnaik taken a U-turn? The BJD supremo, who used to advocate that law will take its course, has not praised the police team for their success in cracking the murder mystery with so much effort,” Ganjam district BJP president Saroj Sabat said while speaking to mediapersons in a presser.

“What kind of relationship does the man from Jeypore have with the former MLA (BJD’s Bikram Panda)? Call Detail Record (CDR) is with the police, and the contract money (Supari) was directly received from them, the proof of which is also with the police. What more evidence is needed?” Chikiti BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara questioned.

Neither the BJD nor Naveen Patnaik issued any official response on the controversy.