Bypoll: BJP Workers Protest Attack By Rivals In Odisha’s Pipili

Pipili: Days before the scheduled byelections to Pipili constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party activists on Tuesday held up traffic in protest against what they termed “Biju Janata Dal workers’ highhandedness” and alleged attack on a campaign vehicle at Barimula.

In the wake of an alleged attack on a driver of BJP campaign vehicle at Kanti Barimula Chhak in Pipili, the saffron party warned the ruling party activists of rataliation if they indulge in such rowdyism during electioneering. The BJD supporters are alleged to have removed a flex banner of the Saffron party before the driver was roughed up at the junction.

The BJP workers held up traffic on Pipili-Jatni road in protest against tampering of BJP flags and attack on campaign vehicle driver by alleged BJD activists and demanding arrest of the accused. The road-blockade was lifted with the intervention of police who promised to arrest the accused in the incident.

According to Pipili Inspector Incharge Abhimanyu Nayak, a BJP supporter was manhandled by BJD workers who allegedly tampered with his party flags. However, legal action would be taken against the accused, Nayak added.

The bypoll, which was necessitated by the death of legislator Pradeep Maharathy, is scheduled to be held on September 30. The byelection was also countermanded after the death of a Congress nominee earlier this year.