'Undeclared property in Goa', Odisha BJP MLA gets EC notice

Trouble mounted for Kabisuryanagar MLA Pratap Nayak on Sunday after the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) issued him a notice for allegedly failing to disclose a property in Goa in his election affidavit.

The development follows a complaint filed by Vishwamitra Tripathy, who sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and subsequently approached the State Chief Electoral Officer with his findings.

Acting on the complaint, the Election Commission reportedly sent two letters to the MLA one on November 26 last year and another on January 6 this year seeking clarification on the matter.  However, it is learnt that he is yet to give an explanation in this regard.

Earlier, allegations had surfaced that the MLA was keeping migrant labourers in an illegal building in Goa and collecting rent from them. 

Meanwhile, MLA Pratap Nayak has categorically denied the allegations levelled against him. He has refuted claims regarding the undeclared property as well as the accusations related to housing migrant workers and collecting rent.

 “It's been almost 20 months now. They can't find any corruption in the constituency, so they're repeatedly circulating stories about my 15-20 year old house, claiming I took bricks from their village home, cement from someone else, or that I stole materials to build it. Let them keep talking; I have nothing to say about it. Everything is based on the truth, and there's no reason to be concerned. Those who feel cheated or think they can deceive the world are acting out of desperation. Let them continue,” said Kabisuryanagar MLA Pratap Nayak.