BJP Demands Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik’s Resignation Over Huge Cash Haul In I-T Raids; BJD Hits Back

Bhubaneswar: In a stinging attack on Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government over seizure of more than Rs 350 crore by Income Tax department in raids on liquor traders, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on moral ground following the huge cash haul.

Asking BJD to give a clarification about the huge money seized during the week-long raids by I-T officials, BJP’s Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal said the ruling party must make it clear as to who owned such a huge amount of cash.

Speaking to reporters, the senior BJP leader said BJD should clarify whether the huge cash belonged to the liquor traders or the party fund stocked with a plan to be spent during the elections.

Stating that it is impossible to hoard such a huge amount of cash without the support and assistance of the state government, Samal said the Chief Minister should resign from the post on moral grounds in view of the cash haul.

Coming down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik government, the state BJP chief alleged that the huge seized cash had apparently been hoarded by BJD for use in the next elections to influence the voters.

Had the state Vigilance or Economic Offences Wing (EOW) acted and caught these liquor traders, Income Tax raids would not have been required, he said.

Strongly refuting the allegations made by the BJP leader, the ruling BJD accused the saffron party of making wild charges without any basis only for the sake of attacking an efficient and honest government.

BJD vice president Prasanna Acharya said that nobody has the guts to bring corruption charges against Naveen Patnaik and he is known across the country for honesty and integrity.

Acharya also hit out at BJP for targeting BJD knowing it well that the cash was seized during raids at distillery group owned by a Congress MP’s family.

Stating that the government is inquiring if there was any corruption, he said all should cooperate with the investigation instead of giving political colour to the issue.