Cong bandh over 'tainted' BJD MLA

KORAPUT: The Malkangiri district unit of the Congress observed a 12-hour bandh in Malkangiri on Friday demanding dismissal and arrest of BJD MLA from Chitrakonda Damburu Sisa.
Congress leader and former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi alleged that the BJD legislator had demanded bribe from a private company, which plans to set up a solar power project at Chitrakonda.
Majhi said the first-time MLA, who belongs to Bonda community, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), sought Rs 4.5-crore bribe from the private company for extending his help in setting up the solar plant.
"The entire conversation between the MLA and the company officials has been recorded and was shown in various electronic media recently. Being a tribal youth, the legislator has cheated the tribals of the district," said Majhi.
"We will intensify our agitation to ensure that Sisa loses his membership of the assembly and is arrested," he said.
Due to the bandh, normal life was affected in Malkangiri district. While vehicles remained off the roads, shops, markets, offices and educational institutions remained closed.
At several places Congress workers blocked roads in Malkangiri town by burning tyres and picketed the collectorate.
When TOI contacted Sisa over telephone, he refused to comment and snapped the call.