CM shares dais with Dibya Shankar Mishra

Bhubaneswar: Despite the BJP and Congress's accusations that Dibya Shankar Mishra has a close relationship with the main accused in the Mamita Meher murder case, the Minister of State for Home shared the stage with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday during the distribution of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY) smart cards.

The CM also dedicated critical development projects worth Rs 860 crore to the people, in addition to handing BSKY smart health cards to the recipients.

When the accusation arose last month, Mishra was pulled from CM's Mayurbhanj trip. Since then, the ruling BJD has been working to improve the minister's reputation. The minister began making public appearances in his assembly seat of Junagarh as well as in Bhawanipatna seven days before the programme. His photos with female voters were reportedly staged in order to deflect opposition claims.

His decision to share the dais with the CM is now being interpreted as the ruling party's response to the Opposition's shrill demands for his resignation. While the BJD has always defended Mishra, this trip demonstrates that the party's leadership is unlikely to give in to the BJP and Congress' demands.

Mishra, who represents the Kalahandi district's Junagarh seat, has previously described it as propaganda and challenged political parties and the media to report him to the police or the court if there was even a speck of proof against him.

Meanwhile, prior of the CM's arrival, the BJP organised a black flag demonstration at MSA Chhak in Bhawanipatna on Monday, shouting "Naveen, Go Back." Police have detained a number of demonstrators.

While attempting to get inside the location where Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo was distributing BSKY smart cards to the residents of Kesinga, BJP members clashed with police.

Outside the Balangir Collectorate, saffron party activists staged a protest. Party members headed by MP Sangeeta Singh Deo stopped the road near Court Chhak and set fire to effigies of Chief Minister Naveen, Ministers Dibya Shankar and Pratap Jena.

The BJP also held a big demonstration from Rajmahal Chhak to Naveen Niwas in Kalahandi to condemn the Chief Minister's visit.

In Kalahandi, the Congress has also called for a 'Janata Curfew.'