BJP protests against CM Naveen Patnaik with fake notes amid Dhiraj Sahu's cash haul

As the counting of cash ended on December 15, BJP members staged a protest in Bhubaneshwar against CM Naveen Patnaik. The protestors laid out baskets full of fake currency notes as crores of rupees were recovered in Balangir district from the premises linked to Congress MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu during the raid by Income Tax Department.

BJP Odisha also shared pictures from the protest which saw a huge turnout. The baskets were filled with fake Rs 200 and Rs 500 currency notes up to the brim and protestors showed up with masks of CM Patnaik.

Prior to Bhubaneshwar, BJP leaders also staged a protest in Hyderabad regarding the seizure of cash from Sahu's premises in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal which reached Rs 351 crore.

Reacting to the cash haul, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said last week that the cash could reach Rs 500 crore and that Sahu could have properties worth Rs 1000 crore. 

Cash has nothing to do with Congress: Dhiraj Sahu

The Congress MP issued his first reaction on December 15 on the raids that were conducted by Income Tax officials. 

#WATCH | Delhi | First reaction of Congress MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu on I-T raids and recovery of hundreds of crores of rupees in cash from premises linked to him. 

On BJP's allegation of the cash being black money, he says, "I have already said that the money is from the business… pic.twitter.com/W8PEx1DHlN

— ANI (@ANI)

“You may also know that transactions in liquor business are done in cash only. My firm has been in business for over 100 years,” Sahu said in an interview with ANI. 

“This money has nothing to do with Congress or any other political party as is being said. The money is not all mine, it belongs to my family and other related firms. I-T has raided now, I will give account for everything,” he further said.