Odisha Police SI recruitment scam: BJD, BJP trade barbs over ‘multi-crore deals’

In a major twist to the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, alleged deals worth thousands of crores between Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the mastermind Shankar Prusty has sparked a fierce battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

After alleged mastermind Shankar Prusty reportedly hinted at the involvement of the previous government, the BJD denied any link and called for a comprehensive probe into the irregularities. The party asserted that simply arresting Prusty would not absolve others who may have been involved.

“BJD demands the arrest of all persons involved in the Police SI recruitment scam,” said BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, adding that accountability must extend beyond individual arrests.

Reacting sharply, the ruling BJP slammed the BJD’s statement, accusing the opposition party of deflecting blame and attempting to shield those responsible.

Also Read: Odisha Police SI exam scam: Mastermind Shankar Prusty arrested from Nepal border area

“The thief always screams the loudest. It’s an old habit of the BJD and its leaders. The Chief Minister has already clarified that whoever is guilty will be tracked down, wherever they are hiding. BJD is scared because the culprits may have links to Naveen Niwas,” said BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra.

He further claimed that the contract with the company involved in the recruitment process was signed during the BJD’s tenure, implying that the roots of the scam lie in the previous regime.

The controversy has intensified, with both parties trading barbs over accountability and political responsibility in one of the state’s biggest recruitment scandals.