Bhubaneswar: A BJD delegation on Thursday accused BJP MP and Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Panda of violating the Election Commission guidelines by giving a “media byte” and a private news channel of telecasting it during the “silence period” of the first phase of elections.
A BJD delegation comprising BJD spokespersons Lenin Mohanty, Sulochana Das and Sasmit Patra met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in this regard.
They submitted a memorandum to the CEO which stated that “during the silence period, star campaigners and other political leaders should refrain from addressing the media …and giving interviews on election matters. However, it was shocking to note that BJP leader Baijayant Panda has given a media byte, which construes as an interview in the electoral process. Further, OTV has telecast this today between 1.40 pm and 1.49 pm.”
The party sought strict and immediate action against Panda and the news channel for violation of EC guidelines.
Some reports also said that the BJD has accused OTV of asking questions to queued up voters that could influence them to vote for change.
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