2024 Polls: BJP Blaming Govt Officials As It Faces Certain Defeat In Odisha, Says BJD

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday said the BJP has accused a senior IPS officer of favouring the ruling party in election campaign as it is facing certain defeat in the elections.

Speaking to media persons, BJD’s national spokesman and MP Sasmit Patra said it has been habit of the BJP to target the government officials before ever election. “The saffron party was engaged in blaming the officials before 2019 elections and subsequent bypolls in the state. So it is not surprising that the main opposition party is making similar allegation this time,” he said.

Stating that the BJP has come down to low level in the ensuing elections, Patra said it is now threatening BDO, tehsildar, DSP and police inspectors. “The BJP has adopted a new strategy in this election. It is threatening the state government officials of complaining to the Election Commission and getting them transferred. The BJD has filed a petition in this regard with the Election Commission,” he added.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of the BJP visited the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Bhubaneswar and submitted a petition addressed to the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing IPS officer DS Kuttey of favouring the BJD in election campaigning.