BJP claim of dubious funds false, says Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said that the BJP’s allegations about his party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), receiving funds from “dubious” sources during the 2014 general and Assembly elections were malicious, fabricated and false.

“The allegations leveled against my party are malicious, fabricated and false. If needed, we will take legal action,” Mr Patnaik told reporters here on his return after a five-day visit to Delhi.

The chief minister said some parties were trying to malign his party’s image. A  petition has been filed in the Odisha high court over the alleged dubious transactions in the BJD account during the 2014 general and Assembly elections.

The court has directed Election Commission to dispose the matter within a month.

Sameer Mohanty, BJP state vice-president, said the CM was trying to divert attention  by asserting his party would take legal action.

Mr Mohanty questioned whether the money deposited in the BJD bank account was alleged commission or funds given by chit fund companies that had duped lakhs of investors in the state.

He said the party would raise the matter before Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department to ensure a detailed investigation into the alleged irregularities.

One Purna Padhi had collected huge amounts of money from the public and deposited it in BJD’s bank account. He is a peon whose voice was recorded and aired on national media on Friday.

“People of Odisha are eagerly waiting to know the identity of Purna Chandra Padhi,” the saffron leader said. He further suspected the use of chit fund money in the election by BJD.

“BJD also received money through another RTGS in which chit fund accused and BJD’s Mayurbhanj MP Ramachandra Hansda transacted money earlier. Isn’t this the chit fund money?” he asked.