Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday targeted two Odisha Ministers over the alleged gangrape of a minor girl of Kendrapada district accusing them of shielding the accused.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, leaders of the state BJP women wing alleged that Ministers Atanau Sabyasachi Nayak and Ranendra Pratap Swain are protecting those involved in the crime.
Stating that BJP’s fact-finding team had conducted a probe into the incident, Mahila Morcha leader Aiswarya Biswal said the party will soon move the National Commission for Women (NCW).
Alleging that close aides of two ministers have links in the kidnapping and gangrape of the minor student, she sought to know as to what action has been taken by the government.
The BJP leader claimed that the accused, who were arrested in the case, are linked to one of the Ministers. The Minister concerned should explain as to how his associates were involved in such heinous crimes, she said.
Biswal wondered as to how the minor girl was given sedative inside the college and abducted. She further alleged that a college lecturer is also issuing threats to the victim’s family.
Demanding action against the lecturer who happens to be the close aide of the Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, the BJP leaders also alleged that the accused is stated to be an aide of Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain.
While the two Ministers were not immediately available for comment, senior BJD leader Sashi Bhusan Behera said BJP is in the habit of making wild allegations.
