BJD’s actor-turned-politicians Anubhav, Aakash deny chit fund links

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 19: 

A day after Odisha unit of Congress and BJP upped their ante against BJD’s actor-turned-politicians for their alleged links with chit fund companies and sought their resignation, Biju Janata Dal’s Rajya Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty and Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak today denied having any links with these companies.

Anubhav went on the blame the media for the controversy.

“You are dragging the issue unnecessarily. These allegations are not based on truth. I request you all not to do this. Besides, I am prepared to face the Crime branch investigation. I will cooperate with the agency should there be a need,” he said speaking to reporters today.

“It is not possible to know who earns his money from which source. I think, it would serve better to discuss ideas and work towards a solution than keep blaming others. Anyway, those of us who have got a jolt this time would be careful next time on,” he added.

Similarly, Akash also denied having any links with the chit fund companies.

“I am not connected to the Oscar chit fund company or for that matter any other chit fund company. I never acted in any movie produced by a chit fund company or made any financial transaction with them either. I hope that the real culprits are brought to book and the investors get back their money,” he said.

With pressure mounting from opposition parties, School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra today made a statement on the issue and said that the Chief Minister would have acted had there been any truth to the allegations.

“The opposition parties are targeting us for the sake of opposing. Had there been any truth to the allegations, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would have taken action. There is no point speculating,” said Mishra.