Preposterous, Says BJD On Move To Seek Protection For Odisha LoP Jayanarayan Mishra

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD on Friday called out BJP for seeking protection for Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Odisha Assembly Jayanarayan Mishra over an alleged conspiracy to eliminate him.

Terming it preposterous, BJD spokesperson Sulata Deo said Mishra, who has 16 criminal cases pending against him, including one of murder, was provided with police protection since he is a legislator and the LoP. However, he returned his PSO claiming that he had lost faith in the Odisha Police after the murder of health minister Naba Das by a police officer.

“Instead of seeking protection for Mishra, the BJP legislators should advise him to tender an apology for misbehaving and manhandling a woman cop during a protest in Sambalpur,” he said.

Sulata said that they feel pity for BJP state unit president Samir Mohanty, who had sustained injuries after being attacked by supporters of Mishra during the election of Zilla Parishad Chairman in Sambalpur over the choice of candidate, leading to the six-year suspension of the latter from the party. “It is sad that he is forced to tolerate such a criminal in his party,” she added.

Notably, a BJP delegation led by senior leader and party chief whip in Assembly Mohan Majhi moved Governor Ganeshi Lal seeking protection for the LoP. They alleged that the state government is hatching a conspiracy to arrest the LoP to prevent him from putting the administration in an embarrassing position with his statement on Naba Das’ murder.

The government seems to be worried as it fears that Mishra may do something that will put it on the back foot during the upcoming Assembly session, Majhi claimed.