BJD clarifies Prasant Jagdev is no longer in party, demands strictest punishment as per law

Bhubaneswar: Responding to BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra’s allegations over Chilika MLA Prasant Jagdev’s role in Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the state ruling party once again clarified that Jagdev is no longer in the party and demanded the strictest action against him for ramming his car into a crowd in  Banpur of Khurda district yesterday.

BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra, in a press meet today, said that the demand put forth by Sambit Patra, said “We had already demanded stringent action against him (MLA Prasant Jagdev) yesterday. Despite knowing that BJP is trying to drag the BJD unnecessarily to politicize this incident, which is extremely sad and unfortunate.

“We also would like to remind the Odisha BJP. A similar incident had taken in one of BJP-ruled states, which had become a topic of discussion. At that point of time, they (BJP leaders of Odisha) had urged everyone to not to politicize that issue. They had said that let law take its course and the accused will be punished. But now why the Odisha BJP is taking another stand for the same kind of incident now? Why they are showing their double standard? We would like to appeal to the member of Odisha BJP not to indulge in double standards on such sensitive issues,” he added.

The BJD spokesperson also urged every political party to come together and ensure that the law takes its own course and stringent action is taken against the accused.