Congress accuses Odisha woman minister of abduction

The opposition Congress in Odisha Monday accused a woman minister in the BJD government of abducting a person during the cooperative societies election in Bargarh district. The minister refuted the allegation.

Raising the issue in the assembly, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said Handloom and Textile Minister Snehangini Chhuria abducted a person ahead of the election to the Rushuda Credit Cooperative Society in Bargarh district in January.

Mishra said even though a police complaint was filed Jan 25 mentioning the minister's name, the police dropped her name from the case.

Durga Prasad Ranbida from Hatagaon village had filed a police complaint in Bargarh alleging the abduction of his father Sugriba Ranbida to prevent him from exercising his franchise.

He alleged that three youths backed by the minister kidnapped his father before the polls.

Chhuria, a member of the Biju Janata Dal, refuted the allegations, saying the case was politically motivated.

"The allegations are politically motivated and baseless. I am ready to face any inquiry against me. I have faith in the judiciary. Let the law take its own course," she told reporters.