KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP on Monday targeted BJD MLA Arun Sahoo alleging that the construction company Panda Infra Projects, which was once black-listed for violating all security guidelines, was given work as Sahoo is a partner and showed favour to it when he was the Law Minister of the state.
Panda Infra, it may be noted, is the company that was constructing the Bomikhal flyover part of which collapsed on Sunday killing one person and injuring 20 other.
The saffron party sought a clarification from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on whether Sahoo had invested money in the company. It also demanded Patnaik’s resignation on moral grounds.
Claiming that the former Law Minister is a partner in the black-listed firm, BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit, said, “The construction company was once black-listed and the case was sub-judice in the Orissa High Court. But Arun Sahoo had favoured the firm for his vested interest and the company was given different projects again. Why the state government did not move the Supreme Court then?”
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra also hinted at a vicious political nexus behind the tragedy alleging, “A former minister and present BJD MLA was shielding and promoting the construction company. He has got a 50% stake in the black-listed company.”
On the contrary, the former Law Minister denied any links, either direct or indirect, with the firm. He dared the opposition parties to prove it and move the court seeking annulment of his Assembly membership.
“BJP’s allegation is baseless. They should know that a person can’t contest election or hold the post of an MLA if he is found holding an office of profit. If they have any proof, they should put forth the corroborative evidence and seek for the cancellation of my Assembly membership,” dared Sahoo.
Ms Kalinga