180 Criminal Cases Are Pending Against BJD MLAs: Odisha LoP In Assembly

Bhubaneswar: During the Zero Hour in the Odisha Assembly, Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra on Thursday said 46 BJD MLAs are facing criminal cases.

While reacting to the BJD leader’s remarks against him over criminal cases, Mishra said that around 180 cases are pending against the MLAs of the ruling party.

“Out of 46 BJD MLAs, six are facing murder charges while two are facing dacoity cases and theft cases in the name of four MLAs. Similarly, four have been booked in bribery cases while 28 MLAs and five others are facing threatening and molestation cases respectively. A rape case is also pending against one BJD MLA, Mishra said.

The BJP MLA further informed that BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Talcher MLA have faced 19 and 29 criminal cases respectively.

“I should not say they are guilty. The court will decide that. Criminal cases are a part of political life. If I were involved in the case, the police would take action. I am ready for any debate on it,” he added.

A person was murdered during the Bijepur by-poll by the BJD in a bid to win the poll. I can provide the evidence, he said.

Launching a scathing attack on Minister Pramila Mallik, the LoP said that the government is trying to influence the probe process into Naba Das’s murder.

On the allegation of misbehaviour to a woman police official, Mishra clarified that if anyone proves my misconduct, I would quit politics.