Bhubaneswar: Leaders of some employees' organisation who met Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik to register protest against the attack on the residence of his personal secretary V. Kartikeyan Pandian on Monday pointed accusing fingers at Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJD's suspended MP Baijyanata Panda.

"We hold both the leaders responsible for the attack. Instead of condemning, they have tactfully supported the attack," said an employee.

Pandian was dragged into political controversy after Panda was suspended from the BJD in December last.

Panda had made sardonic remarks against Pandian and accused him of indulging in politics.

On Monday, Panda said: "I condemn the attack on Pandian's house. Any form of violence is not acceptable. There are other forms of protests such as showing black flags and sitting on dharna in a peaceful manner."

He also denied the allegation that protesters had taken his name while indulging in violence at Pandian's house. "Had they taken my name, some or other TV channel would have recorded it," he said.