Congress In-Charge Issues Warning to BJD’s Second and Third-Rung Leaders
Once again, the opposition has targeted the government over the murder case of Minister Naba Das. Congress in-charge Chella Kumar and BJP leader Pradip Purohit have both issued stern remarks, effectively warning leaders within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Chella Kumar has specifically cautioned the second and third-line leadership of the BJD.
Chella Kumar stated that other leaders could face the same fate as Naba Das. “Today it’s Naba, tomorrow who knows who it will be?” he said. He alleged that those aspiring to the Chief Minister’s chair might be removed from the path by second and third-tier BJD leaders, implying it could be part of their internal power play. He added that this serves as a warning to leaders in the party who try to voice the truth. According to him, those who raise their voices within the BJD are being silenced under the current regime.
He further claimed that the government has failed in its responsibilities. “I’ve seen the video of Naba Das’s murder. It doesn’t seem like an ASI could have carried it out alone. There are many doubts — it seems like a conspiracy,” said Kumar. He insisted that the Chief Minister owes an explanation and expressed distrust in the police and Crime Branch investigation. Referring to similar cases involving Pari and Mamata Meher, he questioned what action the BJD government had taken. He accused the government of running a “gundaraj” (rule of goons) and alleged that a coterie is manipulating the Chief Minister like a puppet.
He also pointed out that the BJD has not been able to answer the questions raised by former Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik regarding the incident. Kumar declared that in the upcoming assembly session, the Congress would raise issues of law and order, the Naba Das murder, farmers’ issues, corruption, chit fund scams, and mining scams.
On the other hand, BJP leader Pradip Purohit also slammed the state government over Naba Das’s murder. He reiterated that there is a deep mystery behind the killing. “As I have said before, those who want to remain in power during Naveen’s absence are responsible for the murder,” he alleged. He expressed concern that the Crime Branch officers investigating the case seem to be protecting the real conspirators.
Purohit criticized the Crime Branch for releasing a video showing the accused in a T-shirt, claiming it was an attempt to portray the accused as the sole conspirator. He alleged that such actions aim to divert attention from the actual masterminds behind the murder.
So far, the BJD has not issued an official response to the statements made by these two leaders.
