BJD Rejects BJP Charge Of Using Money For Dhamnagar Bypoll In Odisha, Terms Viral Video Fake

Bhubaneswar: Terming BJP’s allegation of BJD using money for vote in Dhamnagar bypoll as baseless, the ruling party in Odisha on Tuesday claimed that the saffron outfit is losing its credibility and people’s support by frequently making false charges.

“The allegation made by BJP is nothing new. They have been doing it repeatedly. However, by leveling false allegations the saffron party is losing votes. People are not ready to accept it,” senior BJD leader Amar Satpathy told reporters.

Referring to the viral video mentioned by BJP to back its allegation against BJD, the senior ruling party leader claimed that with the help of technology fake videos can be easily made.

The allegation leveled by BJP should also be probed, he said, adding that allegations made by the saffron party only lead to increase in BJD votes. “BJP is resorting to such tactics because of frustration,” Satpathy claimed.

Satpathy’s reaction came after BJP state president Samir Mohanty alleged that BJD blatantly violated model code of conduct during a party workers’ meet in Dhamnagar four days ago and a video of the whole episode has gone viral. The viral video showed a BJD member offering money for votes using the name of the Chief Minister, he said.

The BJP leader said BJD worker named Jayant Kumar Bhoi made an announcement at the meeting that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will give Rs one crore each to every panchayat that brings higher votes for his party.

The statement was made in the presence of Minister Pritiranjan Ghadei, Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo and Vice President of Zilla Parishad Tunibala Biswal, he said, adding BJP has moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) who needs to take action.