Bhubaneswar, February 8 The Reclamation Colony in Malkangiri district of Odisha has become the temporary residence of former Chhattisgarh excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, who has been directed by the Supreme Court to stay outside the state in connection with two alleged liquor scam cases, according to Congress leaders.
The Supreme Court, while granting bail to the five-time tribal legislator from Bastar's Konta constituency, has directed him to stay outside Chhattisgarh during the pendency of the investigation.
In Malkangiri, the Konta MLA received a warm welcome from Congress leaders and workers upon his arrival on Saturday.
A house has been rented for him at Reclamation Colony, district Congress president Sirnivas Rao said.
"In accordance with the apex court's direction, I chose Malkangiri to stay during this period because the language, tradition, culture, and food are similar to the Bastar area in Chhattisgarh," he told local newsmen in Malkangiri.
Lakhma said he used to frequently visit the Odisha district during elections and other purposes. "I will continue to fight for the poor tribals," he said.
"If he wanted, he could have gone to any other state. But, he selected Malkangiri to stay in compliance with the Supreme Court's order. We are very happy to host Lakhma in Malkangiri," said Rao.
The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Lakhma in two alleged liquor scam cases lodged by the Enforcement Directorate and the state police separately on Tuesday.
He was arrested by the ED on January 15, 2025, and has been in jail under judicial custody since then. The Congress leader was released from the Raipur Central Jail on February 4.
