BJP-BJD secret deal exposed, says Congress

BHUBANESWAR: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his party's support to MMDR (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, Congress today claimed it exposed a secret deal BJD had with BJP to save its leaders from CBI probe in chitfund scam.

"The deal BJD had struck with BJP is no more secret now. It was made public yesterday when Modi thanked Naveen Patnaik. .. BJD now stands exposed," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Prasad Harichandan told reporters here.

BJD which had been opposing measures like MMDR (Amendment) Bill, Land Acquisition Bill and one relating to coal mines auction took a U-turn after striking a deal with BJP in a desperate bid to protect party leaders from CBI probe into the chitfund scam, the PCC chief alleged.

"It became quite clear that there was some understanding between BJD and BJP when CBI investigation into chitfund scam, which was going on in full steam, virtually came to a grinding halt after some leaders of the regional party were booked in the case," he claimed.

Taking a swipe at Modi for thanking Patnaik at a function organised to dedicate the expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant ((RSP), Harichandan said "It was certainly not an occasion to make such a political statement. It was not a political event."

Modi, who went to Rourkela to dedicate to nation RSP's expansion project completed during UPA rule with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore, utilised the occasion for political purpose to keep Naveen Patnaik in good humour, the PCC chief said.