Indus Valley Times

Odisha politics heats up as BJD, BJP indulge in slugfest over law and order situation in state

BHUBANESWAR, FEB. 16: Jayanarayan Mishra, a BJP stalwart and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Legislative Assembly, on Thursday said he suspected a conspiracy by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to kill him.

“I have been the target of the BJD ever since I blamed that their party leader and state health minister Naba Kishore Das was assassinated at the behest of their own men. They want to silence my voice by eliminating me,” said Mr. Mishra.

The LoP’s allegation came as the BJD held a demonstration in the state capital Bhubaneswar protesting the alleged physical assault by the former on a lady police officer during a protest rally in Sambalpur on Wednesday.

The police has registered a case against the LoP on various charges of the Indian Penal Code.

Politics in Odisha reached its crescendo on Thursday as the BJD demanded immediate arrest of the Jayanarayan Mishra and the BJP, as a countermeasure, demanded resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik holding him responsible for murder of the state minister Naba Kishore Das by Assistant Sub-Inspector Gopal Das and rise in the rate of crimes in the state.

Launching a scathing attack on the CM Mr Patnaik, BJP national vice president Baijayant Jay Panda said. “There is no law and order in Odisha; it has collapsed completely. Crime against women is on the rise. Surprisingly, many ministers and MLAs of the ruling party are involved in crimes against women. But, no action is being taken against them,” the BJP National VP alleged.

Coming down heavily on the Odisha government over minister Naba Kishore Das’ assassination, Mr Panda said, “Who shot the minister dead is one thing, but, who is the conspirator? Efforts are being made to suppress the motive behind the murder and no action is being taken to identify the real conspirators who had ordered to kill Naba Kishore Das.”

Odisha BJP in-charge D Purandeswari also alleged that false cases are being slapped against the LoP and the way he was on Wednesday shoved during a protest rally through a woman police officer is condemnable.

“From this incident, it is clearly evident that even Jayanarayan Mishra is not safe in Odisha,” alleged Purandeswari adding that the state government should provide him security.

“Our fight is certainly for the people of the state. The CM should have taken up the responsibility after the murder of health minister Naba Kishore Das.