Does BJD have a ‘Dalit killer’ MLA,Congress asks Naveen Patnaik

Cong sought clarification from Orissa CM over reported 'Dalit killer' remark against senior BJD MLA.

Opposition Congress today sought a clarification from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the reported ‘Dalit killer’ remark of a minister against a former minister and a senior BJD MLA.

The issue was raised during the zero hour by Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan who wanted a clarification from the Chief Minister,who is also the president of BJD.

Health and Family Welfare minister Damodar Rout in an interview to an English daily described Jagatsinghpur MLA and former minister Bishnu Charan Das as a ‘Dalit killer’,Harichandan pointed out.

Story continues below this ad

Similarly,Das retaliated and dubbed Rout as a “Devil” in another English daily,the Congress leader said.

Referring to a rally held against Rout yesterday,Harichandan said the allegation and counter allegation by two senior BJD members – Rout and Das – had diminished the dignity of the Assembly.

Under such situation,the Chief Minister should come forward and give clarification on the matter concerning his party MLAs.

“Should we take it (Rout’s Dalit killer remark) as the state government’s version,” Harichandan asked adding that a minister’s statement is generally considered as the stand of the government.

Story continues below this ad

Is it a fact that the ruling BJD has a “Dalit killer” MLA? Harichandan asked seeking immediate clarification.

Rout and Das are known rivals in Jagatsinghpur district and quite often they accuse each other for some matter or the other.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram