BJD blackmailing CBI: Niranjan

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Nov 24: Former Odisha Minister and senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik has condemned Biju Janata Dal’s threat to take to the streets against the Central Bureau of Investigation over the multi-crore chit fund scam in the State.“When Pravat Tripathy, Ramachandra Hansdah, Subarna Naik and other BJD leaders were arrested by the CBI in connection with the chit fund scam the Chief Minister had claimed that it was their private business and neither BJD nor the state government had anything to do with it,” Patnaik said in a statement on Monday.“But, no sooner the CBI commenced interrogating Saroj Sahu, a prominent member of Naveen’s kitchen cabinet, the party has done a volte-face accusing that the investigation smacks of political vendetta.What accounts for the over-night change of stance? What has made the BJD so edgy at the mere apprehension of an interrogation of people close to the Chief Minister?”“CBI is investigating the Odisha chit fund cases under the direction of the Supreme Court.Any such threat to the CBI is undue pressure and a clear violation of the solemn commitment given by the state government to fully cooperate with the investigating agency.”“If the BJD politicises investigation to shelter their own leaders and takes to the streets, the Congress, which has avoided any such political tactic, will respond in a befitting manner by launching street protests all over the state demanding immediate arrest of all persons accused of the scam.The BJD is trying to blackmail the CBI to protect its high and mighty.I hope the CBI does not come under pressure and people of Odisha will reject such political strategy intended at undue pressure on the investigating agency and interference in the legal process.”“The Congress party may also consider taking up the matter appropriately before the Supreme Court since the investigation is court monitored and its is the abundant duty of the apex court to insulate the CBI from all such extraneous pressures and interference,” he added.“Chit fund companies flourished in the State for almost a decade because of acts of omission and commission of the state government and the companies were given public credibility by BJD leaders.The Chief Minister ignored the directive of the Central Government and attended function of one of the prominent companies and the Government entered into several MOUs with the Company.Now that truth has been unraveled, law must take its own course.”Since CBI is now knocking at the doors of Naveen Niwas, the Chief Minister should take the moral high ground and resign to make way for his party to elect a new leader till the doubts over his roles are cleared, Patnaik said.