Why should MLA Hikaka resign, asks Odisha CM

Four days after release of Jhina Hikaka from Maoist captivity, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday questioned why the MLA, belonging to his party the Biju Janata Dal, should resign and said he was looking forward to meeting him.

"Why should anyone who has been elected democratically resign under pressure? I do not believe in that at all," Patnaik told the media replying to a question whether Hikaka should resign as demanded by the Maoists.

"I have spoken to Hikaka after his release. I am looking forward to see him," Patnaik said. He said that Hikaka along with his wife and two sons were on their way to the state capital.

The Maoists, who had hauled up Hikaka before a 'praja' (people's) court before releasing him unharmed on April 26 after 33 days in captivity, had asked him to resign within 15 days and claimed that the legislator had given a written assurance to them as such and that he would also quit the BJD.

Hikaka, on his part, had not cleared the air.

On Sunday, he had said that the Maoists were likely to release a new audio tape which would make everything clear.

BJD's senior MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra had stated that the Assembly speaker would not accept Hikaka's resignation. Other senior leaders of the party and the MLAs of other political parties had also echoed the same view.