BJD, BJP spat over seizure of Rs 40 lakh in poll-bound Bijepur gets uglier

Dharmendra dares Naveen to prove BJP hand in transportation of money

By Our Correspondent

BARGARH, FEB. 19: The spat between the BJP and ruling BJD in Odisha over the seizure of Rs 40.50 lakh in Bargarh continued unabated for the second on Monday with senior leaders of both the parties accusing each other of trying to lure voters with money power ahead of the bypoll to Bijepur assembly seat.

“I dare Bargarh superintendent of police (SP) to hand over the case to Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department. The truth will come out within half-an-hour,” said senior BJP leader and Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday.

Mr Pradhan further stated, “As it is being said that the cash belongs to BJP and Viswa Hindu Parishad, BJD leader Prasanna Acharya can be also be charged in connection with the cash seizure because he was initially associated with Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). All, including the chief minister Naveen Patnaik, are aware about the fact that half a dozen BJD members were members of the RSS in the past.”

Responding to the Union minister’s allegations, BJD leader Prasanna Acharya asked the saffron party to refrain from making such statements.

“If they points finger at my character, it will boomerang on them,” said Mr Acharya.

The veteran BJD leader added that his party believed in free and fair elections but the party at the Centre is indulged in other activities. BJD condemns such act by BJP,

“We have drawn attention of the Election Commission in this connection. The Commission can hand over the case to Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department for investigation,” he added.

The BJD had earlier alleged that the arrested persons in the incident were activists of VHP and Bajarang Dal.

Earlier, the police had earlier detained two persons – Akash Agarwal and his father Om Prakash Agarwal – near check gate at Mahulipali square on Padampur-Bijepur road while the duo was transporting around Rs 40 lakh cash in their four-wheeler on Saturday.

Later, the duo was arrested after they failed to provide any satisfactory answer about the cash yesterday.