The State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should be brought under the purview of the proposed investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into multi-thousand crore chit-fund scam.
“Mr. Patnaik as Home Minister had shielded himself, his Ministers and MLAs who were involved in the scam. The CBI should also question the Chief Minister for his dubious role in the scam,” said Bijoy Mohapatra, senior BJP leader, at a press conference here.
Quoting the Supreme Court verdict ordering the CBI probe, Mr. Mohapatra said, “Investigation so far conducted reveals involvement of several political and other influential personalities wielding considerable clout and influence.”
“If the State government had nothing to do with the chit fund scam, why highly paid lawyers were engaged to oppose the CBI probe into the scam? When States like Assam and Tripura came forward to recommend a CBI probe into the scam, the Naveen Patnaik government did everything to prevent it,” he charged.
The senior BJP leader hinted that many Ministers of Naveen Patnaik government were hand in glove with chit fund scamsters. “Mr. Patnaik himself was seen present at a ceremony of Seashore Group, a major group entangled in chit fund scam,” Mr. Mohapatra said.
“The Chief Minister and his aides have been thoroughly exposed in wake of Supreme Court ruling ,” he said.