Arrest Of 2 Members Of BJD’s Student Wing For Drug Trafficking Sparks Political Storm In Odisha’s Paradip

Paradip: The arrest of two members of ruling BJD’s student wing for alleged smuggling of brown sugar has stirred a political storm in Paradip town of Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district.

According to sources, Excise officials seized 83 gram of brown sugar during a raid and arrested the two persons, identified as Chandrakant Mahali alias Kahna Prasad and Rakesh Kumar Swain, for their involvement in the illegal trade 2 days back. The value of seized drug was estimated to be Rs 8.3 lakh.

Later, it came to light that Mahali is the vice-president of Paradip unit of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) and Rakesh general secretary. The pictures of both Mahali and Rakesh with Minister Tusarkanti Behera and Paradip MLA of BJD Sambit Routray has gone viral in social media.

The Opposition BJP has targeted the BJD over the arrest of the two leaders of BCJD. It has confirmed the ruling party’s connection with criminal elements, said BJP leader Sampad Swain.

On the other hand, BJD’s Pradip unit president Basant Biswal said he did not know the arrested persons. Besides, he claimed to have no role in selection of candidates for BCJD posts.