Birla donation to BJD will put Naveen Patnaik in the dock: Congress

BHUBANESWAR: Stepping up the heat against Naveen Patnaik over Talabira II coal block allotment to Kumar Mangalam Birla owned Hindalco, Congress on Friday wanted the CM to quit on moral grounds as there is suspicion of his role.

"Special CBI court judge said the letter from Patnaik to then PM Manmohan Singh on August 17, 2005, recommending allotment of Talabira II to Hindalco acted like a fresh lease of life' for the firm. This raises grave suspicion of the CM's involvement," leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra said.

Mishra, a former law minister, said the court could have indicted Naveen had it been made aware that the ruling BJD admitted before the Election Commission to Birla group donating it Rs five crore in 2009.

"The matter is not closed. I am sure when there will be cross-examination Naveen will be questioned," he added, noting the judge has said "it was prima facie clear the letter of recommendation from the CM had to be procured chiefly to scuttle the adverse comments made about the company by some officers in the PMO and ministry of coal."