Hikaka does not rule out resigning from Odisha assembly

Bhubaneswar, Apr 27: A day after his release from Maoist captivity,

MLA Jhina Hikaka today did not rule out the possibility of resigning his membership of Odisha assembly and said he had twice written to Chief Minister

on the issue.

"I had written two letters to the Chief Minister seeking the government's action. The letters were written in response to the situation that prevailed in the Maoist camp," Hikaka told a television channel.

Denying the letters were written under pressure, he said he had written them of his own accord. In his letters, Hikaka had said he would have been forced to resign from membership of the assembly if the government delayed in fulfilling the demands of Maoists and alleged the government was not taking adequate steps for his release as he was a tribal.

Asked about his course of action, the Laxmipur MLA said "I am a common man and will work for the people first."

Asked specifically whether he would resign as stated in the letter and also mentioned in the Maoist audio tape, the MLA said "you will know everything at an appropriate time." Claiming he was treated well in the Maoist captivity, he said "they treated me well and gave me the same food they ate." He said he had mentioned in his letter about under-development of Narayanpatna area, a Maoist stronghold.

"Development work was stopped in Narayanpatna area due to disturbance in that particular block."

The chief ninister evaded questions on the issue.

PTI