Other States - Orissa   

Arrest Speaker: State Congress chief

Special Correspondent

Sequel to EC order for registration of case against him

ON THE OFFENSIVE: Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee president Jaydev Jena at a media conference in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa unit of the Congress on Tuesday demanded arrest of State Assembly Speaker Maheswar Mohanty for allegedly committing violation of the model code of conduct.

At a press conference here, Pradesh Congress president Jayadev Jena said the Speaker should immediately step down owning moral responsibility, particularly when the State Election Commission had ordered for registration of a case against him.

"Mr. Mohanty has brought disgrace to the Legislative Assembly of the State and he should step down without delay," Mr. Jena said.

The Election Commission had on Monday directed the District Collector of Puri to ensure registration of a case against the Speaker for allegedly violating the poll code following the seizure of a vehicle of the State Assembly carrying printed election campaign material of the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

The PCC president further said if Mr. Mohanty did not step down from his post, the Opposition Congress would oppose his entry into the during the next session of the Assembly.

Mr. Jena was also critical of the ruling BJD-BJP alliance saying many top leaders of the two parties were violating the model code and using the Government machinery for their political gains.

"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's convoy had about 60 vehicles when he campaigned in Ganjam district a few days ago, but the election officials did not initiate any action," Mr. Jena said.

The Election Commission should act in a non-partisan manner, he added.

Mr. Jena also alleged that the workers of the two ruling parties had been attacked Congress supporters, workers and leaders in broad daylight at several places in the State, but little action had been taken by the police.

The BJD and BJP were also distributing money in rural areas to win over the voters, he alleged.

The PCC president expressed hope that the Congress would win a majority of the 854 Zilla Parishad seats in the coming polls.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Villagers make a beeline for polling booths in Ganjam
Three policemen hurt in naxal firing
Centre to set up six schools of drama
Aurobindo Centre celebrates silver jubilee
Arrest Speaker: State Congress chief
Celebration time for Karapalli villagers
Good tidings for aspiring actors
Heavy rain in northern parts
Panel urges CBI to investigate woman constable murder case
Rain adds to woes of fire victims
Ban lifted on medical technology courses

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu