Bhubaneswar: Raising the Mahanga double murder case in the state Assembly Saturday, Opposition BJP and Congress demanded the resignation and requisite action against Minister Pratap Jena for his alleged involvement in the crime.
During the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik said that an FIR has been lodged against the Jena for his alleged involvement in the double murder case. “Though the FIR has been lodged against a minister in the Mahanga double murder case, action is yet to be taken against him,” Naik alleged.
According to Naik, the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state.
Meanwhile, BJP chief whip Mohan Charan Majhi appealed to the Chief Minister to initiate necessary action against the minister if the government has any evidence against him.
Congress member Santosh Singh Saluja also raised the issue and demanded resignation of Pratap Jena. Alleging that the Mahanga double murder is a fall-out of corruption in housing schemes, Saluja said that Pratap Jena should resign.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra too criticized the government for the political murder case. Mishra said it is very unfortunate that an FIR has been lodged against a minister.
Countering the allegations, BJD lawmaker Byomakesh Ray questioned as to why the BJP leader from Mahanga, Sarada Pradhan, has not been arrested though he is allegedly involved in several crimes.
“He (Pradhan) is facing several criminal cases, including dacoity and attempted murder. He had also served a jail term for 22 days earlier. In 1957, his name was in the BPL list but in the next 3 to 4 years he became owner of property worth crores,” Ray alleged.
Reacting to this, BJP MLA Majhi said that no one has stopped the government from arresting Pradhan if he has committed any crime.
Meanwhile, BJP took out a big rally in the city Saturday and staged protests in front of the Assembly demanding strong action against Jena. On the other hand, a BJD delegation submitted a memorandum to the twin city Police Commissioner.
PNN