Action against Abhijit is “politically motivated” to target Baijayant: Kharabela

ONI Bureau: Former Lok Sabha MP and Utkal Bharat President Kharabela Swain came down heavily on Odisha Government accusing it of pursuing a political vendetta against former BJD MP Baijayant Panda in connection with Abhijit Iyer Mitra case.

“The outrage against Abhijit Mitra is selective and politically motivated. Nobody in Odisha knew about Abhijit Iyer Mitra two months ago. He is a nobody to us. Why should we give importance to the statements of such a person? My pride is not hurt. The ruling party and entire system raked up the issue to target Baijayant Panda as part of their political vindictiveness,” he alleged.

While speaking to Senior Journalist Manoranjan Mishra on the Kanak News programme, Kharabela Swain lashed out at the Legislators of Odisha Assembly for pressing the matter hard even though they had other priorities for the State. “I disapprove the conduct of House Committee. The Odisha Assembly is suffering from inferiority complex. Yes, I mean what I am saying. I challenge them to bring a privilege motion against me too for speaking the truth,” he said.

The Government must stop harassing political opponents. The real target is Jay Panda here. Abhijit Iyer Mitra has already apologised. We have seen numerous examples of defamation cases being settled following an apology. Why Abhijit case is being pressed so hard if the Govt is not vindictive?, he asked.