Bhubaneswar, Nov. 11: The BJP today accused chief minister Naveen Patnaik of having links with tainted deposit collection companies and demanded immediate criminal proceedings against him and all those who were involved.

The party’s statement came just after assertions from the Seashore Group’s chief Prashant Dash, who alleged that he had dealings with the state government and the raids on his company had been politically motivated.

Dash, who is in the CBI custody, had said that his company got into trouble only after the aborted midnight coup against Naveen by Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra in May 2012.

“Naveen is liable to be tried for criminal conspiracy and extending patronage to the tainted companies,” said BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra.

He said the chief minister had attended a function of Seashore on May 18, 2011, ignoring the confidential letter from the intelligence wing of the central government, warning the state about the illegal activities by the ponzi company. The state government had received the letter on May 14. “The fact that the government was not aware of the group’s activities is not acceptable. There was a close link between Naveen and Seashore,” he said.

Mohapatra also said the state government had signed around 50 MoUs with Seashore between 2008 and 2011. According to the rules, the chief minister and the concerned ministers of health, tourism and agriculture departments are responsible for the MoUs. “They cannot say they were unaware of the company's credentials,” said Mohapatra.

The government should have verified the credentials of the company before entering into any venture.

Quoting Section 3 of the Prohibition of Money Laundering Act, Mohapatra said: “Whosoever, directly or indirectly, attempt to indulge, knowingly assist, knowingly be a party, or is actually involved in any process, or actively connected with proceeds of crime and projecting it as untainted property shall be guilty of offence of money laundering.”

The BJP leader ridiculed the chief minister’s statement that his party colleagues, who had been accused of having a role in the deposit collection scam, was in their individual capacity, and the BJD had nothing to do with it. Stressing on the recent arrests of MP Rama Chandra Hansdah, MLA Pravat Tripathi and former MLA Subarna Nayak, he said: “The nexus between the ruling party and these companies were quite evident.”

Mohapatra also alleged that during the entire investigations, the state police were extensively used to shield the ruling party leaders.

Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra said: “I had said earlier that nearly one third of the BJD leaders, including some ministers, are involved in the scam. Their true colours will be revealed now.”

Reacting sharply, BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb said: “Instead of making statements before the media, Mohapatra should go to the CBI and submit proofs if he has any. He should never indulge in cheap political gimmicks.”

Mohapatra said the BJP was planning to hit the streets and expose the ruling party for its role in the deposit collection scam in the last week of this month.