BJD: Arrest of ex-MLA Panda ‘politically motivated’; BJP accuses BJD of shielding criminals

Bhubaneswar:BJD on Tuesday termed the arrest of its ex-MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, 54, in connection with the recent murder of BJP member and advocate Pitabash Panda in Berhampur as ‘politically motivated’ and alleged that it was a BJP-sponsored move to defame the party ahead of the Nuapada bypoll.

BJP dismissed the claims, accusing the BJD of shielding criminals and criminalising politics.BJD, which was left embarrassed by the arrest, criticised the state govt, citing Panda’s murder as evidence of deteriorating law and order situation. Minutes after the arrest of Bikram and 11 others linked to the murder case, BJD quickly rallied in his support, declaring him innocent. “Bikram has no involvement in the murder.

BJP govt framed him to damage his political career,” senior BJD MLA Pramila Mallick told reporters.Bikram, who began his political journey with Congress, switched to the BJD in April 2018. He unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections from Berhampur on a Congress ticket in 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2014, before securing a victory in 2019 as a BJD candidate. In 2024, he contested from the Gopalpur constituency but was defeated by BJP’s Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.

“With the BJD in a strong position for the upcoming Nuapada byelection, BJP has conspired against our party to intimidate us,” Mallick alleged. She further accused cabinet minister Jena of being involved in the murder, linking him to sand smuggling activities in Ganjam. “Jena has close ties to the murder case. To protect Jena and avoid embarrassment, BJP targeted our party’s Ganjam district president, Bikram. Police acted under BJP’s influence to arrest Bikram,” Mallick claimed.While phone calls and messages to Jena went unanswered, BJP refuted the BJD’s allegations and commended the police for their investigation. “BJD is distorting the truth and inciting crime. The involvement of a former BJD MLA in the cold-blooded murder has shocked society. Police conducted a thorough investigation and uncovered the conspiracy involving BJD’s ex-MLA. It is shocking and unfortunate that the BJD is defending such a politician, who has criminalised politics in Odisha,” revenue minister Suresh Pujari said.BJP state vice-president Jatin Mohanty also slammed the BJD. “Their statements are childish and immature. BJD spokespersons are acting like police and judge,” he said.