Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Tuesday that Member of Legislative Assembly Jhina Hikaka, who had been asked to quit by Thursday by Maoists, should not do so.
Hikaka had been held captive by Maoists for nearly a month.
"Any elected people's representative, including Jhina Hikaka, should not resign under pressure from illegal and unconstitutional forces," Patnaik told reporters.
Stating that the job of MLAs and Members of Parliament was to serve their constituencies, the chief minister said that they should continue to work for the people.
Hikaka, a 37-year-old tribal, who was released unharmed by Maoists on April 26 after 33 days, was reportedly directed by a Maoist 'people's court' to resign from his assembly membership and snap ties with the ruling Biju Janata Dal within 15 days.
When asked whether he would resign, Hikaka replied, "I will go by the suggestions of the
chief minister".
The MLA is currently staying with his wife and two sons at the MLA hostel in Bhubaneswar under tight security.
