BHUBANESWAR: The Opposition Congress on Monday accused a state minister of being involved in an abduction case during a cooperative society election in Bargarh district of Odisha.
Raising the issue in the state Assembly through a special mention during zero hour, Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra alleged that Minister of State for Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Snehangini Chhuria was involved in the abduction of Sugriba Ranbida of a rival political party from Hatgaon village under Bheden Police Station, in the run-up to the election to Rushuda Credit Cooperative Society on January 18.
Though Sugriba’s son Durga Ranbida lodged a complaint at Rusuda Police outpost on January 25, the same was registered only on January 29. Despite the minister’s name being mentioned in the complaint, the police dropped her name from the case under pressure from the ruling party, Mishra said.
The minister termed the allegation as baseless and politically motivated.
“I am ready to face any inquiry, whether it is by the Crime Branch or CBI. The truth will come out after an inquiry,” Chhuria told reporters outside the Assembly.