Bhubaneswar, Dec. 18: The BJP and Congress today intensified their protest demanding removal of mayor Ananta Narayan Jena for his alleged involvement in a sex scandal. The saffron party announced a "chaka jam" (block traffic) tomorrow at all the urban local bodies in the state.
The Opposition parties also alleged that the mayor was linked to the mysterious death of engineering student in May. Police had closed the unnatural death case.
However, the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police today announced re-opening of the case and constituted a special team to look into it.
Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said: "We have formed a team under assistant commissioner of police Tapan Patnaik. All friends of Rishi, the deceased's girlfriend, his roommate and others associated with him will be interrogated."
The Opposition has alleged that Rishi knew about the purported sex video of the mayor which is why he was murdered. Stepping up the pressure on the government, the BJP today tried to surround the mayor's residence. While they were on their way to the Jena's house, they had a scuffle with the police.
Yesterday, the Congress had also had a confrontation with the police while trying to surround the mayor's residence near Raj Mahal Sqaure.
The BJP today announced its plan to organise a four-hour " chaka jam" at all municipalities and NAC (notified councils) in the state from 10am to 2pm tomorrow.
Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan said: "If a fair probe is not done against the influential people against whom serious charges come up, people will lose faith in the system. The police appear to be trying to suppress the matter."
BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said: "Till now we knew about Jena's involvement in a sex scandal but now another case has come to the fore about the alleged murder of Rishi. The police should re-open the case and the mayor should step down till police finish probe."
The party also demanded that the video clip circulated in the social media should be referred to a central forensic laboratory to ascertain its authenticity. "We wonder why the chief minister is silent on this issue," he said.
BJD spokesperson Samir Dash said: "Investigation is on to probe the veracity of the alleged sex scandal. The party high command is aware of it. But there should not be any politicisation of the issue."
BJD vice-president and excise minister Damodar Rout said: "If there is any truth in the case, those found guilty should be hanged."
Student Congress president Itish Pradhan, who had brought the allegation against the mayor, today questioned chief minister's silence on the issue. He said: "What prevents the chief minister from taking action against the mayor? He should sack the mayor immediately."
