Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan criticized the security arrangements for former 5T Chairman V.K. Pandian (without naming him) during a debate in the Assembly on Friday, alleging that 72 police personnel were deployed for his personal protection.
The Minister argued that this extraordinary deployment diverted essential manpower away from police stations and regular law and order duties. Harichandan pointed out that currently, no Odisha government official receives Z+ or Y+ security, demanding the BJD MLAs justify the rationale behind the past "exception."
Directly challenging the opposition, the Minister questioned, "Why did your government give 72 policemen for a babu? Why were police stations emptied and engaged in his duty?" He asserted that the arrangement violated security protocols and misused state resources, demanding the BJD clarify the source of the political influence that facilitated such security.