By Our Political Affairs Bureau
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI: Biju Janata Dal’s powerful MP in Lok Sabha from Kendrapara Parliamentary segment in Odisha, Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda has alleged that one Odisha cadre non-Odia IAS officer working in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s office(CMO) behind the so-called allegation by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi.
“There are brawny rumours that this has been orchestrated by an Odisha cadre non-Odia IAS officer who has been dabbling in politics and confusing the Chief Minister about the matter,” a statement issued by Panda’s office said.
“These allegations by Jogi are ridiculous. P. Chidambaram had appeared in court as legal counsel for companies connected to Panda’s family. Neither Panda nor any family members have any dealings with Karti Chidambaram.
Just how ludicrous this is can be seen from the allegation that Smt Nalini Chidambaram owns shares in one of these companies.
It happens to be a public company in which anyone can buy shares and upon checking we have found out that only 10 shares are owned in this name. It is sad to see Jogi, who was once a relevant politician, reduced to such a pitiable condition of acting as hired gun on behalf of vested interests, making silly allegations, a statement said.
Jogi said that Panda had business relation with former finance minister P. Chidambaram.
In New Delhi, Jogi had on Wednesday demanded that former finance minister P. Chidambaram’s son Karti should be examined for his alleged role in securing the Foreign Investment Promotion Board’s nod for Ortel. Jogi alleged that Ortel got the approval at the same time when another media company for which Karti was being investigated also got the nod.
