Odisha CM under Scanner in Baba Abhiram Ashram Land Grab Case

Even as the Sarathi Baba controversy is yet to die down, another Baba’s illegal act came to light today with Zee Kalinga TV making a sensational expose. Policeman turned Godman Abhiram Baba alias Abhiram Mohapatra, is accused of illegal land gran to set up his ashram.

Ironically, this time the fate has turned its tables on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has been holding the charge of General Administration (GA) Department ever since he became the CM.

In 2004-05, Naveen assured the House at least thrice that there were serious allegations against the Ashram and the Baba and that action would be taken soon. Even, a demolition notice was issued. However, the CM allegedly signed the documents to regularise the illegal land of Abhiram Baba in 2009.

The matter came to light in 2004 and then Congress MLA Nimai Sarkar raised the issue in the Assembly. The CM had then admitted the encroachment and assured the House that adequate steps would be taken to vacate the land. The CM gave the same assurance twice in 2005 in reply to questions raised by senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra

However, the CM went back on his assurance and personally ordered the regularisation of Abhiram Baba’s Maha Anant Ashram. Why he did so, remains a mystery. Some overzealous BJD leaders claimed that the CM would take action against the guilty if any irregularities are found in this case. But, they forgot that the CM himself is in the dock this time. He may not get a ‘sacrificial lamb’ in this particular case.

It would be interesting to see how the Opposition Congress and BJP take up this issue inside the Assembly tomorrow. They won’t lose this opportunity to take a scathing attack on the CM.