CBI vs Mamata: ‘BJD shouldn’t be grouped with other parties’

Bhubaneswar: Hours after Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) criticized the CBI action in Kolkata, calling it a misuse of the agency against political opponents, the Naveen Patnaik-led party urged people not to associate it with other political parties just because of its “statement” on the issue.

The regional party said its statement was in connection with the confrontation against CBI in Odisha and at the national level in the recent past.

“Based on media reports on CBI issue, BJD would like to clarify that the statement by BJD on CBI is in relation to Odisha and overall issues confronting CBI at national level. Grouping BJD with some political parties because of this statement is incorrect and misleading,” the BJD tweeted.

Biju Janata Dal: Based on media reports on CBI issue, BJD would like to clarify that the statement by BJD on CBI is in relation to Odisha&overall issues confronting CBI at national level. Grouping BJD with some political parties because of this statement is incorrect&misleading. pic.twitter.com/U8jGZ4u3cq

— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019

Earlier in the day, raising the issue during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, BJD Parliamentary leader Bhartruhari Mahtab accused the Centre of using the Central Bureau of Investigation as a weapon against opponents.

“Yesterday’s incident questions the integrity of the CBI. The manner in which the CBI has been functioning is not professional. We are not in a Banana Republic. This should be stopped,” Mahtab said.

Recalling how the CBI barged into a judge’s office in Odisha recently, he said: “We want the CBI to be a professional institution.