Bhubaneswar: A day after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held the previous BJD govt responsible for exploiting Keonjhar’s rich mineral resources, the conch party on Monday responded with sharp criticism.
During his first visit to his home town after becoming chief minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, addressed a public gathering and said that the previous government plundered the mineral resources in connivance with the district administration. He said, “Those who looted the mines are under my radar… Mohan Majhi is not scared of anyone… Mohan Majhi govt will put them behind bars and jails are ready for them from Keonjhar to Jharpada in Bhubaneswar”.
Taking a dig at the previous govt, Majhi added, “When I was the opposition chief whip, I was asked to leave the BJP and was offered a mine in Keonjhar: I was also promised the post of a minister: I am thankful to the people of the state for throwing out the previous corrupt govt.”
On Monday, BJD responded to the Chief Minister’s comments. BJD Deputy Chief Whip and Aul MLA, Pratap Keshari Deb urged the Chief Minister to maintain the dignity of his position.
Deb said, “It is very unfortunate that the way the Chief Minister is commenting that no one will be spared in the mining corruption and he was being offered ministerial posts and other inducements. The Chief Minister should know that he is no longer in the opposition party.”
“BJD is ready to counter all the allegations. But when the Chief Minister is saying that he was being tempted, then he should have revealed it in the media at that time instead of remaining mum”, the BJD deputy chief whip added
The BJD Aul MLA stated that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi should refrain from making such statements and stop acting like an opposition party.
Deb added, “In Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Odisha’s mining reforms. He also praised Naveen Patnaik’s work in the federal system. The Chief Minister should accept his leader’s words.”
