Bhubaneswar, April 11: Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra today accused two senior BJD leaders of promoting a deposit collection company in Kalahandi and Balangir.

Mishra said: "A senior minister from Kalahandi and a former minister from Balangir have promoted the company. Despite a crackdown on deposit collection companies by the CBI, they are active in the tribal areas."

Mishra also produced some photographs where the two senior leaders - housing and urban development minister Puspendra Singh Deo and former minister and Rajya Sabha member A.U. Singh Deo - are seen attending a programme of a deposit collection company called the VISTA Group.

Reacting to the allegations, A.U. Singh Deo said: "As public figures, we attend programmes and meetings organised by a number of organisations. That does not mean that we are involved in their business affairs."

He said the allegation reflected the level of frustration of the Opposition leader.

Puspendra Singh Deo said: "I had never expected Mishra to stoop to such a low level and indulge in such politics. We are ready to face any probe."

The CBI is probing into the activities of 44 deposit collection companies that cheated thousands of gullible customers of more than Rs 20,000 crore.

The Congress has announced that it will hit the streets, demanding that the CBI reveal the names of people, who have benefited from the sham companies.

"We will not allow chief minister Naveen Patnaik to move on the streets of Bhubaneswar," said senior Congress leader Suresh Routray.