Odisha CM Functioning Under Pressure, Alleges BJD

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal on Saturday lashed out at the BJP government in Odisha alleging that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is working under pressure from his party leaders and elected representatives.

Addressing a presser at Sankha Bhavan here today, Rajya Sabha member and BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said the state government backtracked on several announcements made in the recent past.

“In a recent Assembly session, the Chief Minister firmly stated that there is no justification for establishing a bench of the Orissa High Court in any part of Odisha. However, pushed by his party leaders, the CM took back his statement and said the matter is under consideration,” said Patra.

On August 8, Patra raised the issue of High Court bench in Odisha with an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal responded to the question saying this matter lies with state government which will take a decision and convey the same to Centre, stated BJD in a press note issued today.

The BJD stated, “Already three months into power in Odisha, the CM has not taken a decision on the proposal to set up High Court bench in the state and apprised the Centre. Instead of taking a decision, he took an U-turn under coercion and is making false promises,”

BJD spokespersons Lelin Mohanty, Priyabrata Majhi and Tumbanath Panda echoed Patra and urged the state government to immediately take a firm decision on High Court bench in western Odisha and duly apprise the Union government.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders could not be reached for a reaction on the allegations levelled by the BJD.