BHUBANESWAR: The State unit of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on Wednesday alleged that Chandbali MLA and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) president Byomakesh Ray had links with the notorious Dhal Samanta brothers.
The NSUI leaders told a media conference here that the ruling BJD MLA had links with the D-brothers even before he was elected as president of the party’s students wing.
Claiming that Ray’s association with the duo (Sushil and Sushant) was much before 2014 general elections, the NSUI leaders said he contested the election with financial assistance from the gangster siblings and the poll expenses were channelised through deputy mayor of Cuttack Municipal Corporation Ajay Barik.
NSUI leaders Manoj Biswal, Kiran Sahu and Sudip Samal further alleged that Ray was using two vehicles registered in the name of Barik. “In 2013, Ray was using a Scorpio which was registered in the name of Barik. After general elections, he continued to use the vehicle for official purposes. This shows the MLA’s proximity with Barik,” Biswal said.
Meanwhile, Barik has already been interrogated by the Commissionerate Police for his link with Dhal Samanta bothers. “The MLA must be brought under the purview of investigation. Why did the police let him go despite knowing this fact?” Biswal asked. If Ray is not arrested within 48 hours by police, the student Congress activists will gherao the Police Commissionerate office on April 9, the leaders threatened. Refuting the allegations, Ray said he had no links with the Dhal Samanta brothers.