Bhubaneswar: The Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kishorenagar block in Angul district, Swarupananda Sahoo, has been removed from all works relating to Panchayat polls, State Election Commission informed on Wednesday.
The BDO was in the thick of controversy after a purported audio clip of his, coaxing someone to try winning 14 of 23 Zilla Parishad zones to gain a majority and be able to win the chairperson post, went viral on February 18. “It is a war and we are supplying the ammunition. It is for you to put up credible candidates, and winnability and clean image should be important criteria and people should have faith in them,” he is heard saying.
Following this, the Opposition blamed the ruling party for using government officials for political gains during the Panchayat polls.
A BJP delegation had also urged the commission to initiate stringent action against the BDO.
Notably, the final phase of the three-tier election will be held on Thursday.
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