Bhubaneswar: State Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy on Sunday quit from his position amidst mounting pressure on his resignation over the sensational Pipili gangrape and murder case.
Maharathy is said to have stepped down from the post of Ministry on moral grounds.
“I have always been an honest party member of BJD. I deeply respect BJD head and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and all other party members. They should not be blamed because of me. There was no pressure on me to quit. I did this on my own,” said Maharathy while addressing a press meet today.
BJP and Congress’ Women wings were mounting pressure on Maharathy for his resignation after his controversial statement over Pipli gang rape court verdict, that had gone against the victim. Prashant Pradhan, the key accused, and his younger brother Sukant were acquitted for want of evidence in the case.
Maharathy had supported the court’s decision and the Women fronts had since been unhappy with his stand.
This is the second time that Maharathy had to resign from the post of Ministers over the same case. Earlier, he had to step down on January 19, 2012 eight months after he was sworn in as first-time minister.
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Ms Kalinga