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Journalism of Courage
The Orissa Assembly on Tuesday witnessed uproarious scenes after the Opposition Congress alleged the use of black money and tampering of Electronic Voting Machine by the ruling BJD in the just-concluded Cuttack Municipal Corporation election.
Soon after the Question Hour started,the Congress members were on their feet demanding a statement from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over allegations made by Samir Dey,a leader of coalition partner BJP who resigned from the Cabinet two days ago.
After the BJPs poor showing in the municipal polls,Dey,who was the partys star campaigner,had alleged that black money helped BJD sweep the polls. He had to quit as the higher education minister after his statement created a political storm.
Congress members Sitakanta Mohapatra and Nimai Sarkar alleged that the charges levelled by Dey were serious. Its not as if the Congress raised the allegations. The allegations were made by a senior Cabinet minister. The Chief Minister should reply to it, said Sarkar. Other Congress members also joined in raising slogans against the BJD and Naveen Patnaik in the Well of the House,forcing Speaker Kishore Mohanty to adjourn the House several times.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty,however,rubbished the allegation saying the Congress was frustrated after its poor show in the Cuttack municipal polls.
