Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 19: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Anubhav Mohanty and MLA Akash Das Nayak Sunday denied having any link with ponzi firms in the wake of the opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifying their attack against actor-turned-politicians in the ruling party for their alleged links with such companies.
The allegations are mere hype and are “baseless” said Mohanty, a Rajya Sabha member.
The Oriya cinestar said it is not possible for actors to always know the sources of funds used to make a movie.
“I am prepared to face a crime branch investigation on this issue and will always cooperate with the agency whenever needed,” he said.
The ruling party MP urged people to stop blaming each other. “We should share ideas to find a solution (to prevent persons from investing blackmoney in the film industry),” said the MP. Mohanty has appeared as the party’s star campaigner on several occasions but is now facing flak from the public for acting in movies produced by ponzi firm Oscar Group head Prabhash Rout, who was nabbed recently in the multi-hundred crore chit fund scam and is in the custody of the crime branch.
Actor-turned-BJD MLA Nayak also pleaded innocence on this issue.
Nayak, the MLA from Korei Assembly constituency, rejected allegations of his link with ponzi companies. “I have never acted in any movie produced by a chit fund company or made any financial transaction with ponzi firms,” said the MLA.
The alleged ponzi links of actors-turned politicians in the BJD have become a matter of concern for the party.
The BJD came under attack from the opposition Congress and BJP when it was found that popular comedian Papu Pom Pom, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Assembly election from Champua on a BJD ticket, had taken a loan of `3.94 lakh from Rout during the election period.
Meanwhile, BJD vice-president and excise minister Damodar Rout Sunday said the party would not spare any film actor if any involvement in the chit fund scam is proved. Rout said the ruling party did not invite any cine actors to join the party. “If the party (BJD) gets any proof of their (film actors’) link with ponzi firms, they will be shown the door,” he said.
The BJD leader also admitted that the actors were inducted in the party to garner votes.
BJD Lok Sabha MP Nagendra Pradhan also stated that party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is keeping an eye on the developments and will take appropriate action.
Singer-turned-BJP leader and Union minister Babul Supriyo sang for ‘Balunga Toka’ and ‘Rangila Toka’ (both produced by Prabhas Rout), said Nayak, asking if people should say Supriyo had links with ponzi firms.
