[Watch] Will Quit Politics If Police Chief Proves Cong Activists Threw Stones At Cops: Odisha MLA Bahinipati; Know His Dig At CM

Bhubaneswar: Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati on Sunday said that if Soumendra Priyadarshi, the Twin City Police Commissioner, could show proof that Congress activists hurled stones at police, he would quit politics.

Bahinipati was reacting to Priyadarshi’s charges that Congress activists hurled stones at the police during the clash between party activists and the police on Friday. He countered that the police had hurled stones at the Congress Bhawan.

The Odisha police have come under criticism after lathi-wielding cops chased party workers inside the Congress Bhawan here on Friday. A video of police chasing them has gone viral.

“We were raising slogans and beating ‘ghantas’ demanding that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attend the Odisha Assembly. Instead, the state government let loose policemen after us,” an angry Bahinipati told mediapersons.

Directing his anger at the police commissioner, he said that if Priyadarshi would prove that Congress workers had hurled stones at the police, then he would quit politics.

“Will he (Priyadarshi) do the same if he is proved wrong. Let there be a proper investigation by a magistrate or HC judge,” the Congress MLA said.

When a journalist pointed out that there was video footage showing policemen chasing Congress workers inside Congress Bhawan, Bahinipati said, “Priyadarshi must apologise for making false allegations. There should be action against him. We will gherao the police commissioner’s office.”

“Congress workers have thrown eggs at protests but never stones,” he said. “The Congress party won freedom for India. Odisha is not the personal fiefdom of the top cop,” he added.

Bahinipati also directed his anger at the CM, who travelled to Ganjam on Sunday to distribute smart health cards under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).

“In three years, Naveen has not visited Ganjam, his constituency. His visit today is a sham. It’s just public posturing. The area’s BDO, District Collector and Sub-Collector are the real MLAs, who carry out the CM’s orders,” he said.

“There is no CM in India who doesn’t come to the Assembly and the Speaker adjourns the House at the CM’s whims… It’s unfortunate but people have voted for him,” Bahinipati said.

“The CM doesn’t mix with anyone, doesn’t come to the House but people keep voting for him. He drives past the Assembly on way to watch hockey matches but doesn’t attend the House,” he added.

“Is there democracy in Odisha? Let people decide. The Congress party has thrown up its hands in despair,” he said.