Odisha: Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi Returns To Public Life, Pledges To Work For His Constituency

Berhampur: The legislator of Gopalpur in Odisha’s Ganjam district, Pradeep Panigrahi, who has been released on bail, has announced to return to active politics for development of his constituency.

Panigrahi attended a function at Hanuman temple in Tata Colony of Sindhigaon village on Thursday. Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the function, he said he was not attending any public function as he was not invited.

“Now, I have decided to devote my time and sources to the services of the people of my constituency. I was not coming to any function as the state government did not invite me. However, I am obliged to the voters for electing me as their leader and would work for their development,” he added.

Panigrahi was arrested by Crime Branch on charges of forgery and cyber offence in December, 2020. The Crime Branch claimed that he was collecting money from people on behalf of Akash Pathak, son of suspended IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak.

Both Abhay Kant and his son Akash were arrested by the Vigilance on November 27, 2020. While Abhaya was arrested in connection with a disproportionate assets case, his son was booked for cheating people by promising them jobs at Tata Motors.

Following his arrest, Panigrahi, a former minister, was in judicial custody at Jharpada Special Jail in Bhubaneswar. The Orissa High Court granted him bail in connection with the job fraud case on June 11, 2021.

But the former BJD leader had remained silent and away from public appearance after coming out of jail on bail. He also did not play any role during panchayat and urban body polls.

After his suspension from the party in the wake of his arrest, the BJD had appointed Gopabandhu Das election in-charge for Gopalpur. The party candidates were also elected in both elections.

Now that Panigrahi has announced return to public life, the political analysts keep their fingers crossed on what would be his next move in Ganjam politics.