BJP accuses BJD of killing its two leaders
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday reacted strongly to murder of two of its leaders allegedly by the ruling Biju Janata Dal activists and staged demonstration in all the blocks of Cuttack district demanding immediate arrest of those involved in the murder.
Two BJP leaders Kulamani Baral (75) and his associate Dibyasingh Baral (80) of Nrutang village were killed late on Saturday evening by a group of people while returning home from Cuttack on a motorcycle.
The BJP activists burnt the effigy of local Mahanga BJD MLA and state panchayati raj minister Pratap Jena alleging his involvement in the murder. Jena is one among the 13 persons named in the police complaint filed by deceased Kulamani Baral’s son Ramakanta. The minister, however, denied the charge. “We never believe in violence. I strongly condemn the killings of two BJP leaders. I personally will see to it that the culprits involved in the crime are punished. The truth will be established once the investigation process is over,” said the minister.
The BJP activists also threatened to intensify their agitation if action is not taken against the persons involved in the crime.
“Earlier the Odisha government used to import potatoes from Kolkata. Now, the state government is learning the tactics of goondaism from West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. We condemn the brutal murder of Kulamani Baral and Divyasingh Baral who were very senior and frontline workers in the coastal Odisha. Minister Pratap Jena is encouraging lawlessness and crime in his area. We will not stop until the accused are arrested,” said the saffron party leader, Sritam Das.
State BJP general secretary Prithiviraj Harichandan also condemned the incident and said that the ministers of the state will not be allowed to attend any public function if the culprits along with the perpetrators are not arrested within 48 hours.
BJP’s Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha member Aparajita Sarangi and national spokesperson Sambit Patra targeted the state government and minister Pratap Jena over the issue.