Aspiration to become Odisha CM cost Naba Das his life: BJP leader

Bhubaneswar: While the Crime Branch is yet to unravel the reason behind the murder of minister Naba Das, BJP leader Pradip Purohit today made an explosive statement claiming that Das’ aspiration to become the Chief Minister of Odisha cost him his life.

Without taking any name, the saffron party leader said the person aiming to become the next Odisha Chief Minister is behind the killing of Naba Das.

“The desire to become Odisha CM became fatal for Naba Das. The row concerning the next CM after Naveen Patnaik is the reason behind the murder,” said Purohit.

“It is being heard that Naba Das was aspiring to become the next Chief Minister, for which he had gone to a Shani Temple for performing puja after being advised by an astrologer to do so. Those who have already planned to become the next CM are behind the murder. They had hatched the conspiracy to eliminate Naba Das. The mystery can be solved only through a CBI investigation. The BJP has been demanding a probe by the central agency and the people of Odisha also want the same,” he said.

On the other hand, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra today said accused Gopal Das is only the shooter. However, police are not searching for the handler, said Mishra, adding that many bigwigs are involved in the murder.

Meanwhile, Odisha DGP Sunil Bansal and Justice JP Das, retired judge of the Orissa High Court, today visited the spot of crime. Worth mentioning, Justice Das has been appointed to monitor the probe.

Other senior police officials including Sanjeeb Panda, Director, Intelligence, Northern Range IG Deepak Kumar and Crime Branch ADG Arun Bothra were also present during the visit.

Notably, the minister was allegedly shot in chest by Gopal Das, a former ASI of police, at Gandhi Chhak in Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district on January 29. The firing took place when the minister alighted from a car to attend an inauguration programme and his supporters were garlanding him.

He was rescued in a critical condition and rushed to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital for treatment. As his condition deteriorated, the minister was then airlifted to Bhubaneswar, where he was admitted to Apollo Hospital.

However, he succumbed to bullet injuries while undergoing treatment at the private hospital.