Breaking his silence over the opposition demand for his resignation for allegedly receiving a car from a Ponzi firm, Odisha's food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma today said he will quit politics if the allegations were proved.
"I will retire from politics if the CBI finds slightest evidence against me," Dasburma said while addressing a meeting held on the occasion of launching of the cheap meal "Aahar" programme in Puri.
Accusing the opposition parties of adopting "dirty politics", Dasburma said, "The opposition parties are conspiring against me. They link my association with Artha Tatwa (AT) Group. After allegations that I own a Pajero SUV gifted by the AT Group managing director, I have submitted all relevant documents to the CBI for investigation."
Also Read
The minister also challenged the opposition to submit documents in their possession to the CBI to prove their allegations against him.
Earlier, both Congress and BJP had demanded Dasburma's resignation after the CBI issued a notice to the minister seeking his clarification on the alleged receipt of a vehicle from AT Group chief Pradip Sethi.
Ridiculing Dasburma's statement, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan said the BJD minister knows very well whether the opposition parties were conspiring against him or he himself was a party to the conspiracy.
"Some senior BJP leaders are of the opinion that the CBI is not probing the mega chit fund scam cases with sincerity and is trying to shield BJD leaders who are involved in the scam. Even the people of Odisha have realised it of late. The Naveen Patnaik-led government in the state has managed to stay in power by the grace of the BJP government at the Centre which has influenced the CBI probe," he alleged.
"Let Dasburma first clarify whether he has been a victim of conspiracy by his own party colleagues," said BJP leader Samir Mohanty.
Meanwhile, ruling BJD leader and Sambalpur MP Nagendra Pradhan today launched a veiled attack on Dasburma.
"Lord Ram had to desert Devi Sita over the suspicion of a common man though he was sure that she is pure. Dasburma claims to be innocent but the Chief Minister will take a final call," said Pradhan.
