Bhubaneswar: Agriculture and Panchayati Raj Minister Pradeep Maharathy Sunday resigned from the Naveen Patnaik Cabinet after he stoked a controversy for his remarks on the acquittal of the accused in Pipli gangrape-and-murder case of 2011-2012.
Maharathy, who was in the eye of the storm following his controversial remarks on the verdict of Pipli gangrape case, has put in his papers Sunday. According to a source in the Chief Minister’s Office, “Maharathy has sent his resignation letter to the Chief Minister’s office. He has resigned on moral grounds.”
Maharathy later addressed a press meet and confirmed that he has resigned voluntarily in the best interests of the party. “I tendered my resignation on moral grounds so that my party does not get into trouble,” said the six-time MLA…
Responding to reporters’ questions, he denied that there was any pressure on him to resign. “Why should I call a press meet if I had to resign under compulsion,” he clarified.
The development came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public meeting at Baripada Saturday, accused the Odisha government of not being serious about the welfare of women and girls and urged it to re-investigate the Pipili gangrape and murder case.
“This (state) government has failed to give justice to a girl in an incident that took place seven to eight years ago in Puri district. It is natural that women and girls are angry over laxity in investigation into the case for which the victim has been denied justice,” Modi said at the BJP rally after he launched a slew of developmental programmes in Mayurbhanj district.
Reacting to Modi’s remarks on the Pipili rape-and-murder case, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said, “We are following the case vigorously.”
A 19-year-old Dalit girl was raped in November, 2011 and died in June, 2012 after remaining in a semi-comatose state, sparking a state-wide furore. It was alleged that the accused in the case had been sheltered by Maharathy.
The court of additional district judge in Bhubaneswar acquitted two accused persons in the case December 24, 2018.
Reacting to the court judgment, Maharathy had said, “I welcome the court judgment. It is the victory of truth. The victim got justice.”
Maharathy’s statement had angered Opposition political parties as well as the victim’s family members who had sought stringent action against the accused.
“How did the victim get justice when the accused persons are acquitted,’’ asked Odisha Mahila Congress president Sumitra Jena.
The women’s wings of both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress had launched an agitation demanding Maharathy’s resignation.
Though Maharathy, who represents Pipli constituency in the Assembly, had subsequently apologised for his remarks following widespread condemnation, Opposition parties stepped up their demand for his removal as minister.
BJP activists in all urban centres in the state held candlelight rallies, demanding the resignation of Maharathy and transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Maharathy had to resign from the ministry in 2011 in the face of a state-wide hue and cry for allegedly sheltering the accused. He was again inducted as a minister after the Biju Janata Dal returned to power in 2014.
BJP leader and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said resignation of the minister is not enough. “If the chief minister sincerely wants to give justice to the girl, he should get the matter re-investigated and hand over the case to the CBI.” The Chief Minister should also tender an apology as the resignation of Maharathy came only after the prime minister had raised the issue at a rally at Baripada Saturday, Pradhan said.
State Congress women’s wing President Sumitra Jena said the minister’s resignation was only a drama and demanded that the case be haded over to the CBI. The role of Maharathy should also be investigated as the incident allegedly took place in his farm house, she claimed.
Former state minister Damodar Rout, who has formed Biju Samata Kranti Dal after being expelled from the ruling BJD last year, claimed the chief minister tried his best to protect Maharathy but finally he had to ask the minister to step down bowing to mounting pressure.
