BJD Accuses BJP Of Inciting Violence In Panchayat Elections In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Wednesday accused the BJP of inciting violence during the panchayat elections in fear of impending loss.

The organising secretary of BJD, Pranab Prakash Das, in a release stated that his has always followed the path of non-violence and strives for free and fair elections.

Countering Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s tweet holding BJD responsible for the violent incidents in the first phase of panchayat elections in the state on Wednesday, Das said it is the BJP which is spreading violence fearing the landslide victory of the BJD.

On BJP’s involvement in violence, he cites the instances of the assault on BJD’s zilla parishad candidates in Gajapati and Pipili and the threat of BJP legislator Jayanarayan Mishra to government officials.

He also said police cases have been filed against senior BJP leaders like Union Minister Bisheswar Tudu for allegedly assaulting state government officers and MP Jual Oram for misbehaving with a woman.

Meanwhile, a delegation of BJD met the State Election Commission on Wednesday and demanded action against BJP leaders and workers who had violated model code of conduct in Golanthra and Konisi in Ganjam district.

The delegation, in a memorandum submitted to the SEC, alleged that Ganjam district president of BJP had recently organised a meeting and a feast for election campaign at Government High School in Golanthara.

Jena and his supporters also took out a rally in Konisi after 7 pm violating the poll model code of conduct, they added.