Bhubaneswar: April 22: Attack and counter attack is on between BJP and BJD on Food Supplies minister Sanjay Das Burma’s alleged links with Pradip Sethy. Yesterday, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attacking the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told to Media, ‘Chief Minister should open up regarding Das Burma’s links with chit-fund companies’. Also, he questioned the Chief Minister’s silence and morality on the raging controversy.
BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb counter attacked the Union Minister by asking him about his links with the Vyapam scam and the Dhalasamant brothers. Deb further said, the main accused of the Vyapam scam had mentioned the name of the Union minster (Pradhan) in his I-T return noting he had booked air tickets for the latter. “While talking of morality, the same rule should apply to him also’. “Secondly, on the nexus between persons with criminal background and politicians, Pradhan had said an accused is not guilty until proven guilty. Does the rule apply only when his name is dragged with a person having criminal background?” asked Deb.
Talking to media persons, Deb said, “The Union Minister has raised questions about the Chief Minister’s morality on the basis of statements made by a minister and an accused. I would suggest first of all the Union minister should set the tradition.” Pratap Deb said further, ‘People know Chief Minister’s morality in last 16 years. So, there is no need for a minister or a leader to give statements in the public like this.’
