Congress Accuses Former BJD MP Of Funding Maoists In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Close on the heels of killing of 10 policemen in Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, Odisha Congress on Saturday accused a ruling BJD leader and former MP of providing financial support to Naxals.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, senior Congress leader and former Minister Ganeswar Behera alleged that former BJD MP N Bhaskar Rao is funding Maoists.

Claiming that Bhaskar Rao had recently called members of the truck owners’ association in Rayagada and asked them to pay money to be given to Maoists, he said the association lodged a complaint with the police following the development.

Though the association filed the written complaint at Rayagada police station on April 18, the police remained silent without initiating any action so far.

Seeking to know as to whether the law will take its own course in this matter, the Congress leader said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president, must clarify if the law is different for a common man and ruling party leaders.

While the state government has been claiming to be fighting the Maoists, it is surprising that a ruling party leader and former Rajya Sabha member is collecting money for the of the banned outfit, said Behera.

The Congress leader demanded a Crime Branch probe into the allegation about the former BJD MP collecting money for naxals.