BJP Worker Killed In Ganjam Ahead Of 2nd Round Of Odisha Elections, CEO Expresses Concern

Berhampur: Ahead of second-round elections in Odisha, a BJP worker was killed in an alleged clash with BJD supporters at Srikrushnasaranpur village under Khallikote block in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Wednesday night.

The deceased has been identified as Dilip Pahan.

According to sources, the clash took place over putting up party banners as part of electioneering in the village and left eight men from both sides critically injured. The injured were immediately rushed to Khallikote Community Health Center and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here as their condition deteriorated. However, one of them succumbed while undergoing treatment.

The BJP supporters said that they earlier worked for BJD but joined the BJP following the death of Khallikote queen. They alleged that the supporters of the ruling party have been opposing them and around 25 bike-borne of them pounced on them with sharp-edged weapons while they were putting up saffron party banners in their area.

Expressing concern over the incident, the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, Nikunja Bihari Dhal has directed the Ganjam Collector and SP to take take immediate measures to stop any kind of violence and bring peace in the region. “There is zero tolerance towards violence during elections,” he added.