Money in press-kit rattles Biju Janata Dal MP Pinaki Misra

BHUBANESHWAR: Puri Parliamentarian Pinaki Misra found himself at the centre of a controversy over money having been distributed during a press conference he was chairing as head of a parliamentary standing committee.

The Biju Janata Dal MP, accompanied by Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty, was to address a press conference organised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development at a plush hotel when media, discovering two Rs 100 notes in the dossier handed out to them, decided to walk out.

Some of the journalists, alleging this was an attempt to bribe them, went to the nearby police station to file a complaint. Misra, considered to be close to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said the event was hosted by UCO Bank – it’s a norm for public sector enterprises and nationalised banks to host standing committees during such tours. “The UCO Bank official says as a courtesy, apart from snack, they also offer some money meant to cover conveyance cost of the journalist,” Misra to ET.

UCO Bank officials couldn’t be immediately reached for comment. Opposition party leaders were quick to seize on the opportunity. “After buying votes through money power, the party now wants to use money power in everything it does,” said Congressman Narasingha Mishra, who is also the leader of opposition in the state assembly.

Misra, meanwhile, blamed his political opponents in the city and said they were envious of the good work he had planned for the temple town of Puri.