Berhampur, April 14 -- Ahead of simultaneous polls in Ganjam district on April 18, ruling-BJD and BJP today engaged in a war of words accusing each other of patronising criminals.
Targeting BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held Patnaik responsible for the rise in criminal activities in the district. Confidantes of the chief minister such as BJD's Bhanjanagar MLA candidate Bikram Keshari Arukh and Gopalpur MLA candidate Pradeep Panigrahi are involved in serious criminal activities and chit fund scam in the State, he alleged.
"Serious criminal charges were levelled against Arukh. Similalrly, Panigrahi is involved in chit fund scam. Notorious criminals and liquor mafia in Berhampur is being s...