Odisha: BJP Leader Slams BJD Over Restaurant At Oppn Party Office, Seeks Action
Key Points
The BJD, under Naveen Patnaik government, acquired the land at the prime location for just Rs 12.38 crore, but the original price even if benchmark valuation of that time is followed, would cross Rs 100 crore, sources said.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 13: Senior BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan on
Monday slammed the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for allegedly running a
restaurant at the 'Sankha Bhawan', the BJD headquarters, here in Odisha in
violation of the purpose for which the plot has been leased out to the regional
party by the State government.
Speaking to media persons here, Pradhan said, “Yesterday, I came to know from the media that the BJD headquarters has been turned into a hotel. We have never seen a political party that received land for the purpose of operating its office and has established a restaurant on it. Why did BJD face such a situation? They have built a palace-like office by using the money allegedly collected from corporate houses. Has it become a necessity for the BJD, following the end of their 24-year rule in the state, to run a restaurant for the upkeep of their office as donations from corporate houses have stopped?”
The senior BJP leader sought the intervention of the state government demanding stringent action against the illegal act by BJD. He alleged that it would set a bad precedent for other political parties if no action is taken against such an act.
Pradhan, while referring to lease-related documents, alleged that it has been strictly instructed that the said plot can only be used for office purposes and the party has to secure the prior approval of the authorities for using the plot for any other purpose.
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✨In July last year, the State govt announced a comprehensive investigation would be initiated into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Sankha Bhawan.
According to sources, one of the four plots, which constitute 1.183 acres of land acquired for the construction of Sankha Bhawan, was originally designated for building a road in Ganga Nagar. However, it is alleged the plot was converted to homestead land.
The BJD, under Naveen Patnaik government, acquired the land at the prime location for just Rs 12.38 crore, but the original price even if benchmark valuation of that time is followed, would cross Rs 100 crore, sources said.
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