BJD charges Centre with conspiring to impose Prez rule in Orissa

New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) While defending the Naveen Patnaik government of Orissa in taking all the necessary measures in handling the situation in the aftermath of murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshminanda and his disciples, a BJD member today charged the Congress-led UPA government with conspiring to dismiss the state government and impose President's rule.

Making an urgent mention in the Lok Sabha, Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy alleged that the Centre's conspiracy was indicated by repeated advisories sent by it to the Orissa government on the law and order situation in the state.

Holding the Central government responsible for delay in despatching Central forces in helping curb violence, Mr Tripathy, whose party in coalition with the BJP rules Orissa, informed the House that the state government had arrested 1,000 people, including 600 from the worst-hit Kandhamal district alone. The alleged rape of a nun was also being investigated by the state police, he added.

Minister of State for Finance P K Bansal took objection to Mr Tripathy making a long speech instead of making a mention as allowed under rules during Zero Hour.

Later, Mr Chandra Kant Bhaurae of Shiv Sena sought protection for such Hindu leaders who have been trying to bring back into the Hindu fold those tribals who had converted through inducement and other temptations. He made the demand in the light of murder of the VHP leader in Orissa which triggered large-scale violence in the state.

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