BJD MLAs & MPs Have Accepted Slavery Of Secretary Pandian, Says Odisha BJP

Bhubanewsar: Odisha BJP’s tirade against secretary (5T) to chief minister VK Pandian has intensified with its leader Mohan Majhi alleging that the ministers, MLAs and MPs of ruling BJD have accepted the slavery of the bureaucrat.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday, Majhi said the letter from the Centre to Odisha government to take “appropriate action” against the 5T secretary has put the BJD party and its leaders in a quandary. Finding themselves in a spot, they are evading the serious issue.

“Dismissing the issue as a trivial matter by stating that it was a routine letter and the Centre has issued similar letters earlier also will prove costly for them. It will not only pull down the BJD government in the state but also wipe out the ruling party,” Majhi said.

The BJP leader further said, “Instead of taking the lead in resolving the problems of the people and taking steps for their welfare as elected representatives, the BJD MLAs and MPs are following the diktats of Pandian like his personal slaves.”

“The BJD leaders are treating the secretary like a God. Their behaviour shows that they are helpless before him. As a result, democracy has been the victim. If they are unable to play their role in a democratically elected government, they should quit their posts,” said Majhi.

The BJP leader said several BJD leaders have told him about their helplessness in their own party. “It is no small matter. If any leader feels suffocated in his own party, it is a major blow to the democracy,” he added.

The Department of Personnel & Training of the Centre had written to Odisha Chief Secretary directing him to take ‘appropriate action’ against 5T secretary on the basis of a complaint filed by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal.

Sarangi and Samal had written to Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions alleging that Pandian was involved in political activities, announcing projects and addressing public gatherings with speeches having political overtones.