Politics hots up in Odisha over Mayor’s sex tape

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15:

Barely hours after surfacing of an alleged sex video of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena in the media, Opposition Congress and BJP bayed for Jena’s blood.

While president of women wing of the Congress Sasmita Behera lodged an FIR against Jena demanding his immediate arrest and an impartial probe into the matter, the BJP’s district unit president Harekrushna Khatua at a press conference demanded immediate resignation of Jena tonight and threatened to stage a dharna in front of the Commissionerate Police headquarters tomorrow to demand Jena’s arrest.

“Jena’s sex escapades were aired in the media today. We have demanded his immediate arrest and have lodged an FIR against him at the Capital police station,” said Behera after filing her FIR.

“Since such a murder case cannot be suppressed without the aid of the police, the Bharatiya Janata Party will stage a demonstration in front of the Commissionerate Police headquarters tomorrow demanding Mayor’s arrest,” said Khatua at the press meet.

On the other hand, Jena has filed an FIR against NSUI state unit president Itish Pradhan and proprietor of niankhunta.com website Pradip Pandey at the Capital police station for maligning his reputation.

“I don’t feel I have anything to discuss on that. I don’t figure in the video. This is vague and concocted to malign me. I have lodged an FIR against both of them. I am also planning to sue them for defamation,” said Jena.

Jena along with his supporters which included Bhubaneswar (North) MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and several party councillors sat on a dharna at the Capital police station demanding arrest of NSUI state unit president Itish Pradhan and niankhunta.com proprietor Pradeep Pandey.

“We have received a complaint from the Mayor against Congress worker Itish Pradhan and niankhunta.com. We examining the matter and will appropriate action,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi.