Click to play videoBhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of violating model code of conduct by granting a mining lease to the South Korean steel giant POSCO.
BJP says there has been a massive kickback and claims that the South Korean steel giant massively funded the ruling BJD's election campaign in return for the lease.
The mining release order for iron ore deposits in Kandahar in Orissa's Sundergarh district was signed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on April 19, just four days before the final phase of polls in Orissa.
"The modal code of conduct was in force in the entire state of Orissa and there was a directive by the Election Commission to all the state governments to not take any policy decision without the prior permission of the Commission. The Government of Orissa took a decision on April 19 that is fours days ahead of second phase of polling," said Suresh Pujari, President of BJP's Orissa unit.
The Orissa government has called the BJP's allegations baseless with Steel and Mines Minister Pradeep Amath says the Chief Minister's letter was just to comply with a High Court order and that the actual recommendation was made as early as January 9
"Case by BJP regarding violation of modal code of conduct by honourable Chief Minister is completely baseless and there is no proof of it," Pradeep Amath Orissa Steel and Mines Minister.
The BJP says the order is for iron ore worth Rs 40,000 crore and the party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against its former ally.
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