Congress targets former bureaucrat & BJD's Sambalpur LS candidate Nalini Pradhan

Sambalpur: The Congress party today raised questions over BJD ticket to former Works department secretary Nalini Kant Pradhan for Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency.

Addressing a presser, Congress Media Cell Chairman Satya Prakash Nayak alleged that Pradhan's selection proves how the bureaucrat extended undue favours to the BJD. Nayak also alleged that Pradhan worked more for BJD than for the administration when he was the Works Secretary, further adding that most number of bridges had collapsed during Pradhan's regime.

"CM Naveen should answer on what grounds Nailini Kant Pradhan was selected. Most number of bridges had collapsed during his tenure. Pradhan was awarded for providing percentage commission (PC) from various projects to BJD," Nayak said.

Responding to Nayak's allegations, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said, "It is the habit of the Congress party to level allegations. We got to know that their party president Rahul Gandhi is on bail in connection with National Herald case. It is hilarious that the same party is levelling allegations against BJD."

Earlier this month, Pradhan had joined the ruling-BJD.