Bhubaneswar, July 15: The BJP today came down heavily on chief minister Naveen Patnaik for appointing Tejeswar Parida, who is facing criminal charges, as the president of Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, BJP state president K.V. Singh Deo said: “Two sets of rules exist in the state — one for ruling party leaders and the other for others. The chief minister, who had shunted out ministers on the charge that they were under shadows of corruption, has now appointed a person with criminal background.”

Singh Deo asked: “How can the chief minister appoint a person with criminal antecedent at a government corporation? Didn’t the government take the views of the vigilance and the police before appointing Parida?”

The chief minister, he said, had told the House that three criminal cases were pending against Parida.

Notices were served on Parida to appear as and when required. Singh Deo said: “The chief minister should clarify on the issue. In all the cases, Parida has been charge-sheeted and the cases are pending in courts.”

Parida, however, said: “The cases were all related to a farmers’ protest rally in which he had taken part. Cases have been lodged against a number of farmers. The charge sheet does not indicate that one is convicted. I will put my point before the court.”

Parida had played a significant role in organising the BJD’s protest rally against Centre in New Delhi last year.