BJD got Rs.8 crore from Odisha chit fund accused: Congress

Congress leader Narasingh Mishra, who is Leader of Opposition in Odisha's assembly, on Tuesday alleged that Rs.8 crore were transferred to an account of the ruling BJD by the chit fund scam accused.

The Biju Janata Dal quickly refuted the allegations and dared the opposition leader to furnish documents to substantiate his claim.

Raising the issue in the assembly, Mishra sought a reply from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"The chief minister should clarify whether the BJD has received Rs.8 crore from Purnachandra Padhi and Srikrushnachandra Padhi, who are accused in the chit fund scam=," he said.

"He also needs to clarify whether both were associated with chit fund firm Artha Tatwa group or not," added Mishra.

He said the chit fund accused were in jail for their involvement in the multi-crore-rupee scam.

The ruling BJD, however, rubbished the allegations.

"The allegations levelled by Leader of Opposition are baseless. If he has any information, he can provide it to the CBI inquiring into the chit fund scam," said BJD legislator Pratap Jena.

He dared Mishra to furnish documents regarding the transactions or apologise for making a false statement.

Meanwhile, the state unit of the BJP on Tuesday held demonstrations across the state, demanding resignation of minister Sanjay Dasburma for his alleged involvement in the chit fund scam and dismissal of chit fund probe panel chief M.M. Das for attending an event of the BJD and making a controversial statement on the chit fund issue.

--IANS

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