Bhubaneswar, May 27: BJP's MLA candidate from Dharmasala assembly constituency in Odisha's jajpur district, Smruti Rekha Pahi has alleged that illegal mining mafia in the State operates under the control of 'Tami Babu' (BJD leader VK Pandian).

"The illegal mining mafia in Odisha operates under the patronage and complete control of 'Tami Babu'. An organised loot is going on in Jajpur district as well as in the whole of Odisha and mining mafia, controlled by the Tamil Babu, is ruling the roost across the State," Pahi said.

The governance in Odisha was being dictated by contractors from Tamil Nadu, she alleged.

Pahi also alleged that top BJD leaders looted blackstone mines worth crores of rupees from Dankari hill and Bichhakhandi hill of jajpur district.

It is alleged that BJD legislators Pranab Prakash Das, Pranab Balbantray and Pritiranjan Gharai are the masterminds of 'mining loot' in the district.

Similarly, two-time MLA and BJP's MLA candidate from Soro assembly seat in Balasore district, Parshuram Dhada alleged that illegal blackstone mining is going on in Bagudi hill under the patronage of top BJD leader.

Dhada also alleged that crores of rupees looted by the mining mafia has now become the election fund of BJD.

Notably, former IAS officer-turned BJD leader VK Pandian, originally hailing from Tamil Nadu, has been accused of holding CM Naveen Patnaik hostage and taking over the entire state administration.

It is alleged that Pandian exploited the State’s mineral resources by taking huge amounts of ‘percentage’ (PC) from the mining mafias.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government for allegedly being run by a 'mafia'.
Without taking any names, the Prime Minister said, “A mafia in the State is controlling all sectors - be it land, sand, coal or mining. All government contracts are going to a select few. After BJP comes to power in Odisha, we will break the backbone of this mafia."

The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are being held simultaneously in the state in four phases from May 13 to June 1.

The last phase of simultaneous elections in six Lok Sabha seats in Odisha- Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur- and 42 assembly segments coming under these Lok Sabha constituencies will be held on June 1.

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