Odisha CM Mohan Majhi Blames 3 Families For Looting Jajpur, Announces Fresh Probe Into PEO Death

Jajpur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday slammed the previous Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government for massive irregularities in various developmental work.

“Three families, which claimed to be kritadasa (slave) of Naveen babu, have looted Jajpur in the name of development. Such leaders have not given justice to people but have instead destroyed the area for their own benefit,” the CM said without taking any names at a gathering during the party’s membership drive at Barchana in Jajpur district.

In March, senior BJD leader Pranab Das, a three-time MLA of Jajpur Assembly constituency, had said that he was ready to be a slave (kritadasa) to serve the people of Odisha after being trolled on social media for “standing guard” at the Circuit House in Nabarangpur, where bureaucrat-turned-politician V K Pandian was holding a public grievance meeting.

The CM also announced a thorough probe into the mysterious death of Haridapur Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) Smitarani Biswal. “Her husband has requested for a proper investigation. Action will be taken against those involved in the crime,” he said.

Earlier this month, BJP OBC Morcha members had urged Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan for a fresh probe into the death of Biswal, who was found hanging in a private guest house of Rupesh Bhadra, the husband of Haridaspur sarpanch, on October 16, 2019. Police had arrested Rupesh for his alleged involvement in her death. Her husband had then alleged that she was raped and murder at the guest house.

Continue his tirade against BJD, Majhi further said that the regional party had only been blowing the ‘respect to women’ trumpet and did little work in villages. “The villages in the state lack proper roads and there has been corruption in the name of development. All have seen how women were treated in the last 2 to 3 years. The PEO was brutally killed. Instead of giving justice to the victim, the BJD shielded the local leaders,” he alleged.

He also spoke about 15 malnutrition deaths in Nagada village. “The previous government only engaged in vote bank politics. Instead of development, the BJD’s 24 years of governance in the state saw only destruction. Though schemes for the tribal-dominated village were launched, those were never implemented. There is no sign of development in the region,” he added.

Responding to the allegations, BJD said that Odisha witnessed immense progress under Naveen Patnaik. “Naveen babu had strengthened heath, communication and drinking water issues during his regime. Under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, people could avail treatment at leading hospitals in the state. The state also saw an increase in medical colleges. Naveen babu continues to be in people’s heart,” former BJD MLA Mukesh Pal told the media.

He said that if there had been irregularities as being alleged by the BJP, they are in power now and can conduct probe to unravel the truth. “People who have been speaking about Odia Asmita are not even able to spell ‘tiranga’. People will give them a befitting reply in days to come,” he added.