Bhubaneswar, April 24: Political controversy has cropped up over the missing grand child of late freedom fighter, who took part in Paika revolt , Laxmi Indira Panda.

Babula, 32, had come to Bhubaneswar along with his mother Sujata Panda, 54, the daughter-in-law of the late freedom fighter to be felicitated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at the Raj Bhavan here on April 16.

Babula has been missing since then. His mother Sujata, who had also gone missing, was rescued and sent to her hometown in Jeypore. Though the chief minister has issued a direction to the director general of police to trace him, the cops are yet to have any clue about his whereabouts.

Today, the BJP accused two BJD leaders - energy minister Pranab Prakash Das and senior leader Rabi Narayan Nanda - were behind the missing of Babula.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said: "The ruling BJD is intolerant of the activities of the BJP. Two leaders, particularly minister Pranab Prakash Das and Rabi Narayan Nanda, are behind Babula's disappearance. Government should order a probe and call records of these leaders should be verified."

Purohit also said: "There is a threat to Babula's life. All efforts should be made to trace him."

BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said: "When the Prime Minister honoured the sons of the soil, its unfortunate that the BJD is becoming more intolerant of it. Is it a crime to honour the family members who had sacrificed a lot for the country?"

Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmenda Pradhan also tweeted about his discussion with the Odisha DGP about tracking Babula.

Refuting the allegations, Nanda said: "The allegations are baseless. We felt proud when Sujata Panda and her family were honoured by the Prime Minister. But after the function was over, the BJP had forgotten its duty and did not take care to send them back to their homes with dignity. This is an insult to us. Now they are trying to shirk their responsibility."

Stating that he was ready to face any inquiry, Nanda said: "Anyone can examine our call records. Instead of taking responsibility, making such baseless allegation is really unfortunate. Let it be inquired by a central agency."

Energy minister Das said: "BJP has lost its conscience. Bringing such a baseless allegation is nothing but a joke."

A team led by Nanda had gone to Jeypore and met the family members of Sujata and assured that all sort of help would be given to trace this son Babula.

Babula's father Surenda Panda said: "The BJD team has given Rs 50,000 to me and assured to construct my house."

However, Nanda denied that he had given any money to Panda. "We went to express our solidarity with the family members," he said.

Croc attack

A crocodile killed a man from Arasa village in Kendrapada district on Monday. The incident took place at the Baitarani river ghat in Mahuri in Rajkanika block. The deceased identified as Rabinarayan Behera was dragged into the river by the crocodile. The villagers discovered the body from the riverbed.