New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS): Odisha TV promoters have alleged that the BJD government is harassing them since Baijant "Jay' Panda joined the opposition BJP after "exposing the corruption in the state government", even accusing the Chief Minister of "personal vendetta".

In a statement issued on Saturday, the BJP leader's wife Jagi Mangat Panda said: "In the past two months, Odisha police has registered 20 false cases against OTV and its sister companies, employees and family members, including my 84-year-father."

"False cases run a gamut of criminal allegations, which runs entirely to counter OTVs 23 years of impeccable track record of ethics and propriety," Jagi said.

She alleged that it is "personal vendetta" wreaked by the Chief Minister since BJ Panda joined the BJP and OTV started exposing the corruption in the state. "Biju Janata Dal is angry against OTV for repeatedly exposing widespread corruption in Odisha, including massive corruption in Covid funds."

She alleged that employees are called for regular questioning but she has full faith in judiciary. "We will continue to seek redressal in courts against continued harassment by the Odisha authorities," Jagi added.

She alleged that five employees have been arrested and two forced to resign by the police.

The war between Panda and the BJD has turned into a political battle with the BJD MP in October raising the issue in parliament.

In the past, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Chandrani Murmu had requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to initiate breach of privilege proceedings against Odisha TV (OTV) run by the family of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national Vice President Baijayant 'Jay' Panda.

In a letter to the Speaker, Murmu had accused OTV reporters of circulating a morphed and obscene video of her with a malicious intention of defaming, harassing and torturing her.