Bhubaneswar: BJD leader VK Pandian today termed the suspension of IPS officer DS Kutey, who served as the special secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, as unfortunate and politically motivated.

Addressing a press conference, Pandian said, "Kutey is an upright officer who significantly contributed to reducing Maoist insurgency in our state, which is now at its lowest unlike our neighboring state Chhattisgarh, which is still grappling with the issue. Kutey risked his life combating Maoists, both in Gajapati district and during his tenure as IG (operations)."

"The BJP leadership seems to be orchestrating the suspension. The Chief Minister and the BJD have never used officers for electoral gains. Our party is robust in Odisha with one crore members. The BJP may need such tactics, but the BJD does not," he added.

Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended Kutey for allegedly unduly interfering in the conduct of elections in Odisha.