I have no intention to challenge Patnaik's decision: Mahatab

Cuttack MP Bhartuhari Mahatab today clarified that he has no intention to challenge BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's decision over the suspension of Banki MLA Pravat Tripathy, who has been arrested by the CBI for his alleged link with the chitfund scam.
"I had no intention to challenge the decision of the party president. The decision to suspend Tripathy has been accepted by the party and me too," the five-time MP said.
Mahatab was however, critical about the role of CBI saying there was a political motive in the arrest of Tripathy.
"While trailing the chitfund scam money and the political angle in it, the CBI's moves are turning out to be politically motivated," Mahatab told reporters here.

The Cuttack MP on Saturday had termed the suspension of MLA Pravat Tripathy from the party as "inappropriate".
Mahatab also said Tripathy's suspension from the party immediately after he was arrested by the CBI had shaken him and in a hectic manner he had commented on the suspension.
It may be mentioned here that Tripathy, a staunch supporter of Mahatab, was arrested by the CBI last week for his alleged link with chitfund company Artha Tatwa Group and its CMD Pradeep Sethy. Soon after the CBI arrested the MLA, he was suspended from the party.