Even as the leader of the Opposition, Bhupinder Singh and Congress MLA continue their dharna in the well of the Assembly protesting against the sexual harassment and murder of Raygada teacher Itishree Pradhan, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has decided to take up the issue outside demanding resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his inaction.
The stalemate over the issue is likely to continue as neither the state government nor the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced that Naveen Patnaik would reply to the discussion on the murder of lady teacher of Tikiri in the House on Monday.
The leader of the Opposition on Sunday reiterated that the dharna in the well of the house would continue till the Chief Minister replies to the discussion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kalpataru Das said that the state government is ready for discussion on the issue on Monday. But the Opposition cannot force the Patnaik to reply to the discussion, Das said and added that any minister can reply on behalf of the Chief Minister if he is busy otherwise.
Meanwhile, the OPCC alleged that Patnaik is avoiding a discussion on the issue because of the dying declaration of the victim in which she had also raised a finger against him for inaction.
No action was taken by the police and protection was not provided to her though she had knocked at the door of every body including the Chief Minister, chairman of Congress media cell Narasingh Mishra said.
Alleging that local ruling party politicians are allegedly involved in the incident, Mishra demanded that the Assembly should discuss the issue on Monday as it is very sensible and urgent and the Chief Minister should reply to it. Former MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati has questioned the crime branch probe ordered into the incident as senior ruling party politicians are involved in it.
Alleging that the Chief Minister is trying suppress the incident by declaring a compensation of `10 lakh for the family of the victim, Bahinipati demanded a CBI probe into the matter.