Naveen lambasts opposition

"They are in the habit of making false allegations against me," Patnaik told reporters replying to a question on Opposition demand for his resignation over the hooch tragedy which killed 34 people in Khurda and Cuttack districts earlier this month. "Because of the ongoing panchayat elections, the false allegations are louder this time," he claimed.

Opposition Congress and the BJP have been clamouring for Patnaik`s resignation since the tragedy. Excise Minister AU Singhdeo had resigned on `moral grounds` two days after the liquor episode rocked State "If Singhdeo could resign on moral ground, why can`t Patnaik?" Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik asked.

State BJP president Jual Oram also made similar demand. "If ministers could be dropped for the fault, why is the same yard stick not applied for Patnaik?" he asked.