BJD-BJP deal subverting CBI probe in chitfund scam: Ramesh

Modi acted like ventilator and CBI as oxygen cylinder, Naveen Patnaik happened to be the patient as the CBI probe in chitfund scam slowed down, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.

Bhubaneswar: Accusing the Narendra Modi government of stalling a probe against BJD regime in chitfund and mining scams in Odisha as part of a "deal", Congress on Saturday demanded Supreme Court-monitored investigation by CBI into both the scandals.

"It is clear that there is a deal between BJP and BJD to subvert the ongoing CBI probe into chitfund scam to save senior ruling party leaders in Odisha and get the regional outfit's support in Parliament in return," senior Congress

leader Jairam Ramesh told reporters here.

Modi acted like ventilator and CBI as oxygen cylinder, Naveen Patnaik happened to be the patient as the CBI probe in chitfund scam slowed down, Ramesh said.

Around 20 lakh people in the state were hit by the chitfund scam involving alleged irregularities to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore.

Ramesh said that a Union minister and senior tribal leader from the state recently came out with the truth "by mistake".

Stating that his party has full confidence in CBI and Supreme Court but not in Modi, Ramesh said the Congress demands that the ongoing investigation into the ponzi scheme scam in Odisha by the premier agency be monitored by the apex court.

Similarly, there should be a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into the mining scam to the tune of Rs 3 lakh crore in the state, he said.

Though Justice M B Shah Commission had recommended CBI inquiry into mining scam in Odisha, Modi Government is yet to take any action in this direction even 18 months after coming to power, he said.

To a query, Ramesh said no scam takes place without political nexus.

Both chitfund and mining scams in Odisha occurred with full involvement of politicians, he said, adding that a BJD MP, a BJD MLA and others were arrested by CBI in chitfund scam.