In what turns out to be more embarrassing for the ruling BJD before the ensuing session of the Assembly from August 18, more information on the alleged links of the BJD leaders with controversial godman Sarathi Baba came to the fore, including his followers’ easy access to the Chief Minister’s Office.
While it is being alleged that the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) had sanctioned funds for the Barimul ashram of the controversial godman from the Special Problem Funds (SPF), a photograph telecast by a private television channel on Sunday showed the Chief Minister receiving a cheque from some devotees of the Baba for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties have criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his silence over the issue. Antecedents of an organisation is thoroughly checked before any fund is sanctioned or the CMRF is received by the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra said.
Whether knowingly or unknowingly receiving or sanctioning funds for such an organisation is wrong, Mishra said and criticised the Chief Minister for his silence over the issue. The Chief Minister should clarify if no law is broken, he said.
The Congress on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the entire matter, including involvement of the Chief Minister’s Office in sanctioning funds for his Ashram.
The nexus between the controversial Baba with ruling party politicians, including the Chief Minister’s Office, should come under the purview of the CBI probe, chief spokesman of the party Ganeswar Behera said.
The Congress will gherao Raj Bhavan here on Monday demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister following his failure to recommend a CBI probe into the entire matter. The other Congress demands include filing of criminal case against suspended IPS officer Satish Gajbhiye for the police excesses on agitators at Kendrapara, who were demanding the arrest of the Baba.
Prasanta Patnaik