Rao on Sunday targeted a particular media for ‘publicising’ the attack on Swain at a public meeting in Kashipur of Rayagada district last week and said that the former MP in his FIR has not mentioned that the attackers belong to BJD.
"Is the name of any political party is ever taken in such cases? What can be the bigger proof of this (being attacked by BJD supporters) when pictures of those who attacked me are seen sharing space with the several BJD ministers and leaders," said Swain.
Besides, the Odisha BJP also lashed out at Rao for openly threatening a media for the telecast of the news by saying, "...They have done their work and whatever will happen in future, they will be responsible for that."
Senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan said, "Rao has exposed the very ideology of the BJD to grab power. The way, the Naveen government is murdering democracy and trying to chain and throttle the voice of media will not be accepted by people in the State."
Threatening a media house is 'undemocratic' and whatever Rao spoke yesterday proves that the present government is extensively relying on hooliganism to win elections again, said senior leader Damodar Rout.
BJD minister Sushanta Singh said that the party never believes in violence and appropriate action will be taken against the culprits. "We don't believe in violence. Law will take its own course," said Singh.
On the other hand, director general of police RP Sharma today directed all the SPs to provide adequate security to Swain during his scheduled public meetings across the State.
So far, two persons (Sumant Nayak & P. Govindrao) have been arrested in connection with the incident while one (Krushna Nayak) is still absconding.
According to sources, a three-member team of the investigation agency led by Inspector Saroj Kumar Mohanty reached Kashipur today. The officials are likely to grill Sumant Nayak and P. Govindrao, who were arrested by the police in connection with the incident and were taken on a 2-day remand for interrogation by the CB.
Police DG RP Sharma had earlier ordered a CB probe to find out who was involved behind the conspiracy and the motive behind the attack.
On the other hand, Swain has accused BJD workers of orchestrating the attack for speaking against the State government.
Swain had posted a video on social media where he was seen being thrashed on his face and vulgarly abused by a man. The video revealed how the man assaulted Swain saying, “We know BJD, BJP and Congress. What’s this Utkal Bharat? Who has called you here?”
The attack on the leader has sparked widespread public resentment across the State with leaders cutting across party lines also condemning the incident.