Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Jul 29:

Motilal Gouda, the main accused in the Odisha gazette notification scam, today alleged that he is being made a victim of political rivalry between two ministers of Odisha Government.

motilal gouda Arun Sahoo

“This is a political conspiracy. This is what I am being told. I am being made a scapegoat amidst the political rivalries between two ministers. You know who I am talking about,” said Gouda speaking to reporters today while being taken to the court.

He, however, did not reveal the names of the politicians even though prodded by reporters. Even after his refusal to reveal the names, political circles went abuzz given his much-discussed political links with ruling Biju Janata Dal leaders.

So far, pictures of Gouda with Minister Arun Sahoo, Puspendra Singh Deo, Damodar Rout, MLA Byomkesh Ray, Anubhav Patnaik and Pranab Balabantaray have been circulated widely in the media.

He further confirmed that he knows Happy Kar aka Himanshu Kar, who alleged acted as the middleman in the scam.

“He stays near my quarter. That is how I know Happy. However, I haven’t made any financial transaction with him. I have already said this to Crime Branch and the Vigilance,” said Gouda.

A source in Crime Branch, nevertheless, trashed the claim and said that they have proof of several transactions between Gouda and Kar.

He also said that the signature in the gazette notification has been forged.

‘So far as signature is concerned, it is not mine. I have informed this to the Crime Branch. They have collected my specimen signature,” he added.