Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal today pressed for action against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over chopper checking row in which the latter was involved in a verbal duel with police officials one week back at Burla in Sambalpur district.
In a complaint filed with the Chief Electoral Officer today, BJD stated that though videographic evidence shows Pradhan clearly obstructing police officials from discharging their duty, no action has been taken against him.
“The Chief Electoral Officer is not maintaining neutrality in his actions. For a former minister and sitting MLA the arrest order came within 24 hours, whereas for the Union Minister Pradhan, the approach has been partial,” BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said.
Patra was referring to Pradeep Maharathy’s arrest in Pipili today. He added that the Chief Minister being the president of BJD has condemned and never defended any wrongdoing.
“The Chief Minister has never come in the way of law. On the contrary the BJP leaders were in full force saving the skin of Pradhan who clearly impeded the job of election officials and the police,” Patra added.
A team of BJD leaders called on the CEO and submitted their complaint demanding stringent action against Pradhan over the Burla incident.