BJD netas in Ponzi scam, says Narasingha

BHUBANESWAR: Leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra on Saturday alleged that that ruling BJD leaders of Balangir and Kalahandi districts are involved in a chit fund fraud, involving a company called Vista.
Although Narasingha didn't take any names, he apparently took a dig at Rajya Sabha MP A U Singhdeo and housing and urban development minister Puspendra Singh Deo.
"A BJD leader from Kalahandi is a minister in chief minister Naveen Patnaik's cabinet while the one from Balangir is currently an MP. Both are involved in the Ponzi scam. The firm continues to dupe credulous depositors," Narasingha told a news conference. He showed some photographs, which have the duo with office-bearers of Vista.
While Puspendra is seen with Vista office-bearers at a Nuakhai bhet ghat (get-together), AU was captured on camera, inaugurating Vista's onion dehydration plant at Titlagarh when he was planning and coordination minister.
Narasingha added the company is still functioning in Kantabanji and it has duped people of Rs 40 crore. "The depositors in December 2014 petitioned CM against the company," Narasingha said.
He added that no action has been taken against the firm. "I strongly demand investigation into Vista-related cases by Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch. The government should also take steps to return money of duped investors," he said.
After a private news channel showed the photographs, AU said he was never involved in any chit fund scam. "It is only because of the frustration of Congress that it is targeting BJD leaders," AU told the news channel.
Puspendra termed the allegations baseless. "It is unfortunate that such a senior leader is indulged in cheap politics," he said.