Orissa Cong MLA suspended over horse-trading tape

The controversy over an audio tape allegedly containing the voice of an Orissa minister on horse-trading of a Congress MLA during last years Rajya Sabha polls.

The controversy over an audio tape allegedly containing the voice of an Orissa minister on horse-trading of a Congress MLA during last years Rajya Sabha polls has resulted in the state Congress suspending the accused legislator.

Orissa PCC president Niranjan Patnaik suspended Sibaji Majhi,Congress MLA from Lanjigarh in Kalahandi,whose name came up in the tape played by Kanak TV,a local television channel,last week. The tape purportedly contained the voice of Labour Minister Pushpendra Sighdeo finalising a deal for the victory of three BJD candidates in 2010 Rajya Sabha poll.

The BJD had won all the three seats after Bhimsen Choudhury (BJP),Sibaji Majhi (Congress) and Gregory Minz (Congress) abstained from voting,paving the way for the election of BJDs Pyari Mohan Mohapatra,Sashi Bhushan Behera and Baishnab Parida.

How BJD steadily lost its old guard, Naveen Patnaik’s trusted aides over the years

Political Pulse2 hr ago

Senior BJD leader Prafulla Kumar Mallik's suspension for criticizing the party's functioning and lack of responsible opposition adds to the growing discontent and resignations within the party. With reduced involvement and recent surgery of party leader Patnaik, there is a leadership vacuum and the party must redefine its role in opposition to regain lost ground.

View all shorts

Live Blog