Odisha heading towards Constitutional Crisis: Dharmendra

ONI Bureau: On a day when Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda issued a veiled threat to “Senior Govt Officials” in the state, reminding them of Biju Patnaik’s ‘Mada Tattwa’ in the 1990s, Union Minister Dhramendra Pradhan stepped into the debate, saying Odisha is now heading towards a constitutional crisis.

“The 3rd Floor officer is controlling the Government. The post of Chief Secretary has become superfluous. He remains just nominal. The 3rd Floor now controls all 550 police stations in Odisha. The DGP remains helpless and unable to take action even against low profile officers. This is a dangerous trend,” alleged Dharmendra Pradhan.

Referring to sacking of Dr. Damodar Rout from the Odisha Cabinet, Dharmendra said a 3rd Floor Officer directing a senior Cabinet Minister to resign, is a matter of concern.

The Union P&NG and SD&E Minister also questioned the system in the state and challenged the state government to order an impartial probe against certain officers and scrutinize their WhatsApp, Telephone and Telegram if it has the guts and considers itself unbiased.