In a scathing attack on the ruling BJP government, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has alleged that top BJP leaders—both at the state and central levels—are involved in the massive police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam that has rocked the state.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan today, senior Congress leader and former minister Debasis Nayak accused the BJP of hypocrisy, saying that the same party which once cried crocodile tears for unemployed youths is now deeply embroiled in a job-selling racket.

“When in opposition, BJP leaders accused the previous government of selling jobs. They pretended to stand with educated, jobless youth. But after coming to power, they themselves started selling government jobs,” Nayak said.

Nayak further alleged that Shankar Prusty, the owner of Panchasoft, who is at the centre of the SI recruitment corruption, was previously accused of similar malpractice during the earlier regime. “If the BJP already knew about his criminal background, why did they give him responsibility? How did he become part of the BJP system, and why are there photos circulating showing him with the Chief Minister and senior BJP leaders?” he questioned.

BJP’s Central Links Under Scrutiny

Another senior Congress spokesperson, Rajani Kumar Mohanty, alleged that the scam goes far beyond the arrested middlemen and candidates, extending into the upper echelons of the BJP leadership, including those overseeing Odisha’s affairs from the Centre.

Mohanty said, “The BJP government, which came to power for the first time in Odisha under the guise of Odia pride, has in just 15 months seen corruption in 16 recruitment-based examinations. From question paper leaks to bribery for job allocation—each exam has been tainted, and thousands of meritorious youths have lost faith in the system.”

He pointed to shocking revelations made by the Crime Branch in its ongoing probe, which confirmed that the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) had contracted the exam to ITI Limited, a central government agency. ITI, in turn, subcontracted the work to Silicon Tech Lab, which then illegally passed it to Panchasoft—violating all contractual norms.

“How could Panchasoft be hired in violation of government regulations without the knowledge of senior OPRB officials, ministers, and BJP leaders?” Mohanty asked. “Why did senior police officers who frequently visited Panchasoft’s office never raise suspicions? Who authorized the subcontract? And why didn’t the OPRB Chairperson initiate an internal investigation?”

Links Between Shankar Prusty and BJP Figures

Displaying photographs before the media showing Shankar Prusty, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and other BJP leaders, Mohanty demanded the government clarify the nature of their association.

He also questioned the role of Atul Prabhakar, a Maharashtra-based individual allegedly close to Shankar Prusty and BJP’s Odisha in-charge T. Tomar.

“Who is Atul Prabhakar, and what is his connection with Shankar Prusty and BJP’s central leadership? Why has a Maharashtra resident been living in Bhubaneswar for months? We suspect that the recruitment racket was being jointly operated by Shankar Prusty and Atul Prabhakar, and that a portion of the illegal money was being routed to top BJP leaders through Atul,” Mohanty alleged.

Congress Demands Impartial Investigation

The Congress has demanded a neutral and transparent probe into the entire SI recruitment scam, including the financial and political links between Shankar Prusty and Atul Prabhakar.

“Atul Prabhakar must be brought under the purview of investigation. The government cannot protect its own people by limiting arrests to middlemen and small players,” Mohanty said.

The press conference was attended by PCC Media Cell Vice-President Amiya Pandav and other senior Congress functionaries.

Congress leaders concluded by warning that unless the BJP government orders an impartial inquiry, the party will take the issue to the streets, demanding justice for Odisha’s cheated and unemployed youth.

The post Congress Alleges BJP Leaders Involved in SI Recruitment Scam, Demands Neutral Probe appeared first on Odisha Connect.