Coming under intense pressure from the Opposition political parties over the Pipili gang rape case, the state agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy on Thursday submitted his resignation to Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on moral grounds.
Maharathy was in the line of attack as the incident which happened in his constituency, had kicked up a storm and generated much heat in political circles besides sparking public resentment. The Pipili legislator was accused of harbouring the rape accused.
“I have resigned on moral grounds and in the interest of my party. I am ready to face any probe into the case,” Maharathy told the media after putting in his papers.
Stating that he wanted the culprits to be punished and the 19-year old Dalit girl to get justice, Maharathy clarified he had not succumbed to any pressure in tendering his resignation. “I am not a coward, I'm a stalwart,” he asserted. The five-time BJD MLA who was given a ministerial berth for the first time in May last year said he had full faith in the judiciary.
Confirming Maharathy's resignation, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “This morning, Maharathy came to me to my residence and submitted his letter of resignation. He has resigned on moral grounds. I have forwarded his letter of resignation to the Governor for his acceptance.”
The Governor M C Bhandare has accepted Maharathy's resignation. Responding to the Opposition's demand for a CBI probe into the rape case, the Chief Minister said, “We have constituted a judicial enquiry for this whole unfortunate matter. Let us wait.”
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The Chief Minister maintained that he would keep the agriculture portfolio under his control. Maharathy's resignation, however, failed to placate the Opposition who termed the move as 'belated' while pressing for the resignation of the Chief Minister as well as CBI probe into the matter.
“Maharathy's resignation is not enough. It's a drama. We want the Chief Minister to resign. Our battle will continue,” said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik.
Echoing the state Congress president's views, the BJP Orissa unit president Jual Oram said, “Patnaik must resign on moral grounds. Our agitation will continue till the victim gets justice.”
A 19-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped on November 28 last year by some people near her village Arjunagoda, about 10 km from here. Meanwhile, police on Thursday arrested Sukanta Pradhan, the fourth accused in the case. Earlier, three accused had been arrested by the police in connection with the case.