Operation Blackspot: BJD Cries Conspiracy

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD, which is in the soup following an expose regarding four MLAs demanding money to facilitate setting up industries, on Tuesday refused to accept the sting operation stating that a conspiracy has been hatched against the party lawmakers.

“The MLAs, who have not seen Rs one crore in their lives, are demanding crores. It is not acceptable. Some people have hatched conspiracy and are trying to malign them. The MLAs took the money offer as a joke and the television media dragging it unnecessarily,” said BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena.

BJD MLA Debasish Samantray demanded an investigation alleging that the video footages may have been doctored.

“They are innocent. The video footages may have been doctored. Only an investigation can unearth the truth,” said Samantray.

However, another BJD spokesperson Sameer Dash said the Chief Minister is well aware of the incident, and he would take action accordingly.

Four MLAs of the ruling party-Seemarani Nayak (Hindol), Susant Kumar Behera (Chhendipada), Bijay Kumar Nayak (Karanjia) and Anam Nayak (Bhawanipata)-were caught on camera while demanding money from industrialists.

Meanwhile, opposition BJP and Congress on Tuesday took out rallies and staged demonstrations in the constituencies of the BJD MLAs demanding their resignation and action against them.