Balasore Bypoll: Odisha BJP Alleges Violation Of COVID-19 Norms By Minister

Balasore: A few days after the office of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi was sealed for violation of COVID-19 guidelines, state BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar on Friday brought similar allegation against Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain.

In a complaint submitted to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Samantsinghar alleged that the minister violated the COVID-19 norms during the campaign for by-election to Balasore Assembly constituency.

She said four ministers including Swain have violated the COVID-19 guidelines so far. While the poll code of conduct allows 200 people to attend a closed door meeting, more than 1000 people were present when Swain addressed Biju Chhatra Sammilani (convention of student wing of BJD) inside a hall.

“We have the video which shows Swain saying that there are over a thousand people in the hall during the meeting,” she said.

“With the government violating the COVID-19 norms and election code of conduct openly, a free and fair election has come under question,” she added.