Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3: Billboards with pictures of mayor Ananta Naryan Jena have appeared across the city greeting people on the New Year, adding fuel to speculations about his fate in the wake of his alleged involvement in a sex scandal.
Several of these hoardings have photographs of Jena in the company of his councillors, which is apparently being seen as a message that he still enjoys their support and confidence.
Asked about the hoardings, Jena said: "I have not put up a single billboard. My well wishers and friends have put them in place. I thank them for their love and support and wish them luck in the New Year."
Student Congress president Itish Pradhan, who had brought allegations of the mayor's involvement in the sex scandal and the mysterious death of an engineering student and Pradeep Pandy, who had uploaded the sex video clippings on a web portal today appeared at a local court in connection with the defamation case filed against them by the mayor.
Itish said: "We urged the court to start the hearing and complete it within two days."
Pandy demanded that video clipping, allegedly featuring someone who looks like Jena, be examined by forensic experts. He said: "The truth will come out once it is examined in the forensic laboratory."
The Congress and the BJP today stepped up pressure on the chief minister to sack Jena immediately. Itish said: "If the chief minister does not take action against the mayor, we will oppose him wherever he goes and hurl eggs at his convoy."
Reacting to the Congress threat, BJD student wing president Byokesh Ray said: "If that happens, we will give a fitting reply."
BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said: "The chief minister should protect a man against whom there are serious allegations. We will take the issue to the public."
The BJP continues to organise street plays across the city to highlight the mayor issue and government's alleged protection to him.Tech student's friends questioned
Police today interrogated three friends of engineering student who had died mysteriously last May. Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania said: "We will investigate the case and see to it that the culprits are nabbed. We will take the case to its logical end."
