Odisha mired in corruption, chitfund scam: Rahul Gandhi

BHUBANESWAR: Alleging that Odisha is plagued by a host of problems including "corruption and chitfund scam", Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today said the state had witnessed "regional imbalance".

"There is a huge corruption issue. People are hurt by chitfund scam. I also met people who have been affected by the scam," Gandhi said on the last day of his two-day Odisha visit.

The Gandhi scion had yesterday said, "As you know there is chit fund scam in the state. A compromise was struck and friendship grew between Modiji and Naveenji," at Debahal in Bargarh district.

Rahul also claimed, "the ongoing investigation into the chitfund scam has slowed down considerably."

The remark by Rahul, who did not name any agency, was significant as several BJD leaders including an MP and MLA had been arrested by CBI for alleged involvement in the scam.

Rahul also met people who lost their hard earn money that they had invested in chitfund scam and listened to their woes.

Referring to the alleged multi-crore mining scam in Odisha, Rahul said that the state had also witnessed growing unemployment, abysmal medical facilities and neglect of eduction during the 15-year long BJD rule.

The Congress leader further said that the Congress will vigorously raise these burning issues to "expose" the ruling BJD.

Noting that Odisha had witnessed regional imbalance, Rahul said while several areas along the coastal belt had progressed, many other areas remained grossly neglected leaving big gap in development.

"I am confident that partymen will work together in a disciplined and united manner for strengthening the organisation"

Stating the party was moving in right direction in the state, Gandhi said "I am quite pleased with what is happening in Odisha now."

Both the PCC and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) are doing well and carrying people together, said Gandhi, who addressed an extended executive committee meeting of the PCC earlier on the day.

The Congress leader also attended a workshop on social justice.