The Orissa government on Thursday accused the BJP and other Opposition parties of trying to derive political mileage over the alleged mining scam in Keonjhar district.
"It is a political allegation by BJP and some others," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said while replying to a question
on a BJP central team stating on Wednesday that it would make the scam, involving smuggling out of iron ore and manganese from the district, a 'national issue'.
The state vigilance was looking into different aspects of mining irregularities and strong action would be taken against the persons involved, Patnaik said.
Though, both the BJP and Congress have demanded a CBI probe, the state government has rejected it by claiming that the vigilance wing was capable of handling the investigation.
Meanwhile, BJP's five-member central team lead by Balbir Punj visited Joda area in Keonjhar district during the day.
The team was also scheduled to visit Barbil area before returning in Bhubaneswar.