BJP Reiterates Demand For Repolling In 48 Booths

Bhubaneswar: A BJP delegation on Friday met chief electoral officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar and reiterated its demand for repolling in 48 booths in Odisha.

Later, talking to mediapersons, BJP state vice-president Samir Mohanty said the delegation discussed three issues with the CEO.

“Since there was massive rigging in 48 booths where polling was held in the third and fourth phases, on April 23 and 29, we have urged the CEO to conduct repolling in these booths,” Samir said. “But the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered repolling in 34 booths on the recommendation of the CEO. Among the 34 booths, the CEO has recommended repolling in two booths in Baisinga and Baripada though there was no allegation of irregularities during polling in these two booths. It is now clear that the CEO has ordered repolling in these two booths because the BJD fears it might lose there.”

Referring to the appointment of Premchand Chaudhary as Kendrapara collector, he said the state government has entrusted a responsible job to the former who has received a stricture from the Orissa High Court.

On the issue of the liquor deaths in Bhadrak district, the BJP leader said no action has been taken against those responsible for the deaths of 12 persons. “The BJD carried out free distribution of liquor in Bhadrak district on the eve of the fourth phase of polls,” he alleged.