2 min readBhubaneswarDec 7, 2010 02:58 AM IST
First published on: Dec 7, 2010 at 02:58 AM IST
Over three weeks after the Orissa High Court ordered to stop land acquisition for the proposed Vedanta University at Puri citing violation of several laws,a Congress member on Monday demanded a probe by the Enforcement Directorate ED into bribes allegedly accepted by some BJD MLAs in the deal.
The Opposition,mainly comprising Congress,which has stalled the Assembly proceedings since the day the winter session started November 23,has been demanding the ouster of Chief Minister on the charges that his bureaucrats and ministers have violated the laws while acquiring land for the university.
On Monday,Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan said: On the website of Anil Agarwal Foundation that is building the university,the balancesheet is in foreign currency. No one other than the ED can determine if foreign currency was paid as bribe to BJD MLAs, he said.
Though Harichandan did not elaborate on his allegations of bribery,he slammed the ruling BJD in no uncertain terms. The verdict of the Orissa High Court is binding on all. Instead of complying with the court order,the chief minister has been misleading the House. He demanded that criminal prosecution be started against the CM and other ministers for their roles in the land acquisition.
As soon as the House assembled for the day,Congress members trooped into the well,forcing Speaker Pradip Amat to adjourn the Assembly. Harichandans charges came two days after BJD MLA Pradeep Maharathy said that at least two senior Congress members had accepted money for not raising the HC order on Vedanta University.
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