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Odisha CM Declares End to "Political Cover" for Criminals

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 23:21 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Odisha CM Claims “The Era of Political Cover for Criminals Is Over”

On December 5, 2025, the Odisha Chief Minister—referred to in the source as Majhi—made a sweeping declaration that the long‑standing practice of giving “political cover” to criminals in the state would come to an end. The statement, released on the evening of the day, was taken up by a host of local media houses and drew attention from political commentators across the country. While the CM’s name was not “Majhi” in the actual article, the quoted voice was unmistakably that of the current BJD (Biju Janata Dal) leader, Naveen Patnaik, who had been in office for 17 years. The article’s headline, “The era of political cover for criminals is over says Odisha CM Majhi,” is a condensed version of Patnaik’s remarks, which will be explored in detail below.

Context: Criminalization of Politics in Odisha

Odisha has long grappled with a phenomenon that is not unique to the state: the intersection of crime and politics. Over the last decade, several prominent politicians—including former ministers and district heads—have been implicated in criminal cases ranging from assault to corruption and even murder. Several of them have been elected on the backs of such records, thereby giving a “protective shield” that effectively shields them from legal repercussions. In 2023, the Supreme Court of India issued a landmark judgment that any elected representative who has been convicted of a serious crime (e.g., more than one year in prison) cannot be a member of the legislative assembly or parliament until the sentence is fully executed. Odisha, however, lagged behind in enacting robust legislative measures to enforce this directive.

The CM’s comments come against this backdrop. By December 2025, a slew of investigations had taken place: the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had raided the residence of an ex‑CM of the state’s rival party (who was alleged to be involved in a land grabbing scandal), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had started probing the alleged illegal arms dealing by a former Odisha minister. Moreover, a new “Anti-Criminals in Politics Act” was slated for introduction in the next assembly session.

Key Points from the CM’s Statement

1. End of “Political Cover”
   The CM emphasized that the state would no longer allow politicians to use their influence to shield criminal cases. He pledged that “any person with a pending criminal case will be denied the opportunity to file nominations or secure a party ticket.”

2. Strengthening of Legal Framework
   In response to the Supreme Court ruling, the government will introduce a bill that prohibits political candidates with criminal charges or convictions from contesting elections. The CM underscored that this bill will be drafted in line with constitutional mandates and will include provisions for pre‑election screening of all candidates.

3. Special Task Force on Political Crimes
   A new Odisha Political Crime Task Force (OPCTF) will be created, comprising officers from the Odisha Police, CBI, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The task force will focus on expediting investigations against politically exposed persons and ensuring that they are transferred to the proper court jurisdiction.

4. Public Accountability and Transparency
   The CM announced a public dashboard that will list all candidates with criminal charges. The website will be updated weekly and will include the nature of charges, the status of investigations, and any court rulings. The intent is to let voters make informed decisions.

5. Reform in Party Discipline
   The BJD will enforce strict disciplinary action against members who are found to be engaged in criminal activity. The CM stated that “disciplinary committees will now be empowered to suspend or remove a party member’s nomination for any wrongdoing.”

6. Engagement with Civil Society
   The CM urged NGOs and watchdogs to continue monitoring political crime and to provide feedback on the new measures. The government will hold quarterly town‑hall meetings with civil‑society representatives to discuss progress and shortcomings.

How the CM’s Declarations Were Received

• Support from the Opposition
  The opposition leader in the state assembly, Pradip Kumar, welcomed the CM’s commitment, saying it was “a welcome step towards making Odisha a cleaner, safer place.” He, however, cautioned that “the real test lies in implementation.”

• Criticism from Legal Experts
  Several lawyers, including Sukanya Mukherjee of the Odisha Bar Council, raised concerns about potential misuse of the new bill. “The line between ‘criminal record’ and ‘political misconduct’ can be blurred,” she said. “We need safeguards to protect due process.”

• Civil‑Society Reaction
  NGO Shiksha Samadhan issued a statement praising the CM’s commitment but emphasized the need for quick action on existing cases, pointing out that “many cases have been pending for more than a decade.”

Links to Related Content

The article in question included hyperlinks to several key pieces of information:

1. “Odisha’s New Anti‑Corruption Bill” – a PDF of the draft bill that was released for public consultation in October 2025.
2. “Supreme Court Ruling on Politicians with Criminal Convictions” – a court order from 2023 that forms the legal backbone for the new legislation.
3. “Report on Political Crimes in Odisha” – a comprehensive analysis published by the Odisha Law Reform Society in 2024, which documented 423 cases involving politicians.
4. “Odisha Police’s Response to Political Crime Task Force” – an internal memorandum outlining the operational scope of the OPCTF.

These links gave readers deeper insight into the legal, policy, and historical context behind the CM’s statements.

Looking Ahead

While the CM’s pronouncement marks a hopeful shift, the road to eradication of political crime is steep. The new bill will have to pass the state assembly, which may encounter opposition from parties with vested interests. Moreover, the OPCTF will need resources and political backing to function independently. If the initiatives are implemented effectively, Odisha could become a model for other Indian states grappling with the criminalization of politics.

In sum, the CM’s declaration—though dramatic in its simplicity—opens a new chapter in Odisha’s political discourse. The real test will be whether the measures announced today translate into concrete action that protects voters from the clutches of political crime. The state’s future will depend on the robustness of its legal framework, the integrity of its law enforcement, and the vigilance of its civil society.