Odisha CM Mohan Majhi Blames 3 Families For Looting Jajpur, Announces Fresh Probe Into PEO Death

Jajpur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday slammed the previous Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government for massive irregularities in various developmental work.

“Three families, which claimed to be kritadasa (slave) of Naveen babu, have looted Jajpur in the name of development. Such leaders have not given justice to people but have instead destroyed the area for their own benefit,” the CM said without taking any names at a gathering during the party’s membership drive at Barchana in Jajpur district.

Notably, senior BJD leader Pranab Das, a three-time MLA of Jajpur Assembly constituency, used to describe himself as kritadasa.

The CM also announced a thorough probe into the mysterious death of Haridapur Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) Smitarani Biswal. “Her husband has requested for a proper investigation. Action will be taken against those involved in the crime,” he said.

Earlier this month, BJP OBC Morcha members had urged Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan for a fresh probe into the death of Biswal, who was found hanging in a private guest house of Rupesh Bhadra, the husband of Haridaspur sarpanch, on October 16, 2019. Police had arrested Rupesh for his alleged involvement in her death. Her husband had then alleged that she was raped and murder at the private guest house.

Continue his tirade against BJD, Majhi further said that the regional party had only been blowing the ‘respect to women’ trumpet and did little work in villages. “The villages in the state lack proper roads and there has been corruption in the name of development. All have seen how women were treated in the last 2 to 3 years. The PEO was brutally killed. Instead of giving justice to the victim, the BJD shielded the local leaders,” he alleged.

He also spoke about 15 malnutrition deaths in Nagada village. “The previous government only engaged in vote bank politics. Instead of development, the BJD’s 24 years of governance in the state saw only destruction. Though schemes for the tribal-dominated village were launched, those were never implemented. There is no sign of development in the region,” he added.