Bhubaneswar: BJD leader V K Pandian on Wednesday termed the ECI actions against IPS officers, D S Kutey and Ashish Singh, in Odisha CMO office as unfortunate.
“They are outstanding officers of Odisha and both of them have played a great role in controlling Maoist insurgency, which is at its lowest ebb in the state, while the neighbouring Chhattisgarh is still struggling to check the menace. I think they have been awarded by the highest authorities in the country for their commitment, dedication and sacrifice. Kutey risked his life in the fight against Maoists, whether it was in Gajapati district or as IG (operations). This is very unfortunate and it is as per the design of BJP which cannot digest imminent defeat in the hands of BJD and it cannot stand against the popularity of Naveen Babu and his sway over the people of Odisha,” he told a presser.
Pandian added that he feels that Kutey’s suspension is politically-motivated. “The CM and the BJD have never used officers for electoral benefits. The party is very strong in Odisha with 1 crore members. The BJP may need such help but not BJD,” he asserted.
The BJP, however, slammed Pandian for questioning the impartiality of the EC. “The officers who have misused power and harassed the people Odisha will not be spared. There will no ‘witch hunting’ rather appropriate legal and disciplinary action will be taken based on evidence,” said BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab.
Also Read: EC Suspends Odisha CM’s Special Secy D S Kutey, Orders Medical Test For Another IPS Officer
On Tuesday, the ECI suspended Kutey for “unduly interfering in conduct of election” and fixed his headquarters at the office of Resident Commissioner Odisha, New Delhi, where he has been asked to report by 3 pm on May 29. Senior IPS officer Ashish Singh (CM security), who is on medical leave since May 4, has also been asked to appear before a medical board for a detailed medical examination by Thursday.
Last month, the BJP accused Kutey, a 1997-batch IPS officer, of working for the BJD by staying at the Chief Minister’s Office. “The CEO Odisha in his communication on May 27 had made certain averments indicating undue influence being exercised by Kutey and Singh on officers directly connected with conduct of election work. This was further corroborated by various other inputs received from the field from time to time,” the order said.
Meanwhile, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar has constituted six-member Medical Board headed by institute Executive Director Asutosh Biswas to examine Singh.
