EVM Toppling Row: Prashant Jagdev Innocent; Have CCTV Footage & Audio Evidence, Says Aparajita Sarangi

Bhubaneswar: BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday claimed that she has the CCTV footage of Begunia incident and it is enough to prove Chilika MLA Prashant Jagadev’s innocence in the EVM toppling row.

She also blamed the power corridor, the third floor and the coterie group for the conspiracy behind Jagdev’s arrest. “Under what circumstances, a sitting MLA was sent to jail? I reached the booth about 10 minutes after the incident was reported and held discussions with the people there. Not a single person corroborated the lies being peddled about the legislator breaking the Vidhan Sabha cabinet. There were several people inside and outside the booth, but none complained to me in this regard,” she claimed.

Aparajita further alleged that she was told by a high-rank district officer that they were following the instructions from the ‘third floor’, which houses the CMO office in the Lok Seva Bhavan. “…I have three evidence to prove that Jagdev had no role in toppling the EVM. Today, I have received the CCTV footage and it will be made public soon. I also have an audio of BJD worker stating the same. Banamali babu (her driver) has already told the media that he was threatened by police to name the MLA,” she said.

The BJP MP said that she will make the evidence, including the CCTV footage and audio clip of a BJD worker, public at an appropriate time. “The name of the one who broke it will be revealed today or by tomorrow.”

She further alleged that the law and order in Odisha has gone for a toss. “What is happening here is against the principles of natural justice. An MP’s vehicle is accosted and the sitting MLA is dragged out by the police and arrested. He is languishing in jail for last 3 days. Who is responsible for it? The CM, who holds the Home portfolio, should be held accountable for it. Since Prashant Jagdev is a popular leader, the BJD is afraid of him. There is a huge conspiracy behind his arrest. Not only BJP, the people of Odisha, except CM Naveen Patnaik and his coterie, are with the MLA,” she said.

Jagdev, the 55-year-old BJP candidate from Khurda assembly constituency, was arrested on May 26 for allegedly vandalising an EVM and assaulting polling personnel at booth number 114 in Bolagarh block under Begunia assembly constituency during the third phase of voting in Odisha.