Odisha police raid labour minister's residence

The police today said it raided the residence of Odisha Labour Minister Susant Singh suspecting hoarding of cash for the Bijepur by-election, but did not find any.
Singh's house is located at Bausenmura village under the Sohela police station in Bargarh district.
The bypoll is set for February 24.
The minister, who represents Bijepurs neighboring constituency -- Bhatli -- has been managing the election affair of the ruling BJD for the by-election.
Bargarh Superintendent of Police J N Pankaj confirmed the search on the minister's house.
Bargarh DSP, N P Nayak said, "A raid was conducted after it was alleged that cash had been kept in the house of Singh for by-election. However, the police did not get anything from his house."

The BJP, however, said the action of police as an attempt to fool the people.

The police conducted the raid on the house of Singh after informing him. They conducted the raid when the meeting of chief minister was on at Bijepur, just to send out a message that they dont even spare the minister," said BJP state vice president Aswini Sarangi.
Yesterday, a special squad had searched the house of BJP Yuva Morcha president, Pritesh Bohidar suspecting that he has kept cash in his house but did not find anything.
The police action drew sharp criticism from the BJP.

The BJP leaders had also staged dharna at the Padampur police station opposing the search on the house of the party's youth leader on Monday night.