Jual Oram Warns Detractors After Rep's Arrest in Circuit House Case

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram warned his detractors of dire consequences, alleging a disinformation campaign aimed at defaming him, days after his Rourkela representative Prakash Paswan was arrested on charges of harbouring criminals in a government-run Circuit House.

Oram, also the Sundargarh MP, told reporters after meeting state BJP general secretary Manas Mohanty that some people entering the BJP from other parties were spending money to destabilise him and that he would approach the central leadership if justice was not served at the state level.

He also said that anyone trying to discredit his reputation would face consequences, adding, "If anyone tries to discredit my reputation, I have the strength to chop off their hands. I am throwing a challenge. I had announced not to contest elections anymore. But I will fight the polls again. The people who are against me will see what I will do to them."

Prakash Paswan was arrested by Rourkela police on Wednesday on charges of harbouring criminals at the Circuit House in Panposh using political influence. State BJP president Manmohan Samal had suspended Paswan from the BJP Yuva Morcha state executive committee on August 20, while Oram acknowledged on August 22 that Paswan was his active worker and representative to the Rourkela Municipal Corporation.

According to the report, Paswan joined the BJP shortly before the 2024 general elections after being suspended by the Biju Janata Dal, and the arrest has caused dismay among the BJP leadership in Sundargarh, where concerns have grown over the influence of Paswan and Oram’s other representative Khusboo Yadav over local administration.

Oram, a six-time Lok Sabha MP from Sundargarh and serving as Tribal Affairs minister for the third time, stated he had apprised Manas Mohanty of all developments and expected the party leadership to discuss the matter and deliver justice.

What triggered the minister's outburst?

The arrest of Prakash Paswan on charges of harbouring criminals in the state-run Circuit House at Panposh using his political clout came days before Oram's public confrontation with the media.

What did Jual Oram say to his critics?

He accused unnamed individuals of spending money to defame him, suggested they hoped his removal would earn them ministerial positions, and warned that he would "chop off their hands" if they continued to discredit his reputation.

Will he stop contesting elections?

Although he previously announced he would not contest further polls, Oram told reporters he would fight again in reaction to what he called efforts to destabilise him.