In a scathing attack on Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha, Congress today accused the ruling BJD of patronising mafias while working against the interest of poor and downtrodden.
Speaking at functions organised by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) as part of its state-wide membership drive in various places, senior party leaders came down heavily on both BJD regime in the state and the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre dubbing them as "anti-poor".
Launching the 60-day drive in the state capital, OPCC President Prasad Harichandan said Congress would intensify its fight against BJP and BJD to safeguard the interests of the poor.
Accusing the BJP government at the Centre and BJD regime in Odisha of trying to hoodwink the people in the name of smart city project, Harichandan said the project is designed to benefit a handful of rich people.
Meanwhile, addressing a party meeting in Cuttack, ongress stalwart and Leader of Opposition leader in state Assembly Narasingha Mishra minced no words in charging the ruling BJD in patronising mafias and criminals and attributed the same to the alleged rising crime graph in the state.
The mafias are being patronised by the state government, Mishra claimed.
Mishra said his party has moved a motion and he has also given a notice in the Assembly for a discussion on alleged nexus between politicians-criminals and the alleged protection provided by the state government to the criminals and mafias.
He expressed hope that the Speaker would definitely allow a discussion on this important issue.
"There have been allegations against one BJD legislator for having links with mafia Dhalasamant brothers and another ruling party legislator was involved in chit fund scam," Mishra said claiming these serious allegations are not being investigated.
"The law is not taking its desired course in these two serious allegations", Mishra said alluding to reports of a BJD legislator's alleged links with the Dhalasamant brothers and the arrest of neighbouring Banki legislator Pravat Tripathy, who had been arrested by the CBI in chit fund scam.
