Odisha Congress demands resignation of Food Supplies Minister over false affidavit allegation

Bhubaneswar, Aug 2 (UNI) The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) today demanded the resignation of State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krishna Chandra Patra for allegedly submitting a false affidavit during the 2024 general elections.

OPCC Media Cell President Arvind Das alleged that in 2021, a man named Niranjan Satapathy had cheated Minister Patra of Rs 25 lakh in a land purchase deal. This was recently disclosed by the minister himself.

Das pointed out that Minister Patra failed to mention this financial transaction in the affidavit he submitted while filing his nomination for the 2024 elections.

He claimed that this omission violates Article 324 of the Constitution and Sections 33 and 36 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. As such, Das said, the Election Commission should cancel Patra’s legislative membership.

“In the last election affidavit, Minister Patra declared assets worth Rs.7,35,090, stated that he had no loans, and claimed an annual income of Rs 20 lakh,” Das said. “However, he did not disclose the Rs.. 25 lakh advance payment made for the land deal.”
The Congress leader further explained that under Section 36(2)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, any concealment of assets, liabilities, or financial transactions by a candidate
can lead to disqualification from membership of the legislative assembly.

Quoting Article 324 of the Constitution, Das said the Election Commission is empowered to ensure free and fair elections and should act independently on this issue.
He urged the Election Commission to launch an investigation and take necessary action, including the cancellation of Patra’s legislative membership.

Das also demanded that the Chief Minister immediately dismiss the minister to uphold constitutional values and ensure accountability.