Plot to oust me from ministry, claims Tribal Affairs Minister Oram

Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram on Tuesday alleged that a conspiracy was underway to tarnish his image and remove him from his ministerial position. The assertion came after one of his aides was arrested in connection with an organised crime investigation in Rourkela, Odisha.

Oram characterised the arrest as part of a concerted effort to undermine him politically. He did not provide specific details about the alleged conspiracy but suggested that the timing and nature of the arrest were suspicious and designed to damage his credibility.

The aide's arrest has raised questions about the minister's office and the vetting procedures for his staff. While Oram has distanced himself from the allegations against his aide, the incident has drawn scrutiny to his administration.

Odisha police have not released detailed information about the charges against the aide or the organised crime case. The matter comes at a sensitive time for the Union ministry, which oversees tribal welfare and development programmes across India.