The two opposition parties termed the resignation of the state's Women and Child Development minister Pramila Malik "inadequate," and demanded criminal investigations.
Terming the resignation of Orissa's Women and Child Development minister Pramila Malik over the multi-crore dal scam as "inadequate," opposition Congress and BJP today demanded that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik too step down forthwith for the irregularities.
"Malik's resignation is just the beginning. Many heads will roll for irregularities committed in purchase of dal for mid-day meal and supplimentary nutrition programme," BJP state president Jual Oram said.
Since the chief minister's office was fully aware of the multi-crore scam which occurred in violation of court directives, Patnaik should step down forthwith and WCD minister's resignation is not enough, he said.
Stating that the role of the chief minister in the scam falls under suspicion, Oram said action should not stop with Malik's resignation as many others would be exposed if investigation is conducted sincerely.
Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said WCD minister's resignation was not enough and criminal cases must be registered against those responsible for giving sub-standard and adulterated dal to children and pregnant women.
Expressing similar views, state Congress working president L B Mohapatra said people at every level starting from district officials to Chief Minister were responsible for the scam and "none of them should be allowed to go scotfree."
Both Mohapatra and another PCC working president Chandrakher Sahu demanded that a CBI probe be ordered into the dal scam as the state Vigilance department would be unable to conduct its probe independently and impartially.
Naveen Patnaik should quit office immediately as irregularities had taken place in the purchase of dal with full knowledge of the Chief Minister's office, state Congress vice-president Shivanand Ray said.
Threatening to stage a silent rally outside Raj Bhavan here on February 7 to press for action against all involved in pulses scam, the Congress leaders said the party would launch a state-wide agitation if the chief minister fails to resign.
Meanwhile, Congress activists in Mallik's home district of Jajpur staged a demonstration demanding her arrest and criminal proceedings for feeding children and women spurious and poor quality dal.
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