Bhubaneswar: Cutting across partylines, members of Odisha Assembly on Monday sought a clarification from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on alleged Maoist link of Rajya Sabha MP and Odisha Jan Morcha leader Pyarimohan Mohapatra.
The issue was raised by ruling BJD member Pradeep Maharathy during the zero hour. "Let the Chief Minister give a statement on the matter in the House," Maharathy said, adding a complaint has been lodged at Capital Police Station here.
Maharathy said the police complaint by Lok Dal leader Dipti Mohanty alleged that Mohapatra had link with Maoists.
"Inspector-in-charge of the police station has said police are investigating into the matter. Therefore, the Chief Minister as Home Minister of the state should give a statement," he said.
Stating that two Italian tourists were kidnapped in February last year, Maharathy sought to know who actually appointed Dandapani Mohanty as a mediator during the hostage crisis.
Meanwhile, Dandapani Mohanty and his son Sangrah have been arrested and jailed on charge of having Maoist link.
Dandapani Mohanty`s son Sangram was a member of OJM headed by Pyarimohan Mohapatra, Maharathy pointed out.
Referring to Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka`s abduction last year, Maharathy also accused mass education minister Rabi Narayan Nanda and a former Congress MLA of liasoning with Maoists for the release of the legislator.
Maharathy also wanted to know under whose direction the ruling BJD made adjustment with Maoist backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) leader Nachika Linga for formation of Zilla Parishad in Koraput district.
Supporting Maharathy`s view, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh of Congress also demanded a clarification from the Chief Minister on the issue as names of an MP, a minister and a former MLA were being taken on alleged Maoist link.
"As the issue has been raised by a ruling BJD MLA, the Chief Minister must give a statement on this matter in the Assembly," said BJP legislature Party leader K V Singhdeo.
PTI
