Odisha BJP Raises BJD’s Poll Code ‘Violations’ With SEC, Cites Kalimela, Where Its Candidate Went ‘Missing’

Rina Kabasi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP General Secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar kept up her attack on the ruling BJD government, accusing it of violating the Model Code of Conduct repeatedly and threatening party candidates ahead of voting for the panchayat elections.

Samantsinghar has complained to the State Election Commission, alleging that state government officials were threatening BJP candidates in Kalimela in Malkangiri district and urged the SEC to take action.

Samantsinghar’s allegations come on the heels of BJP’s Zilla Parishad candidate for Zone-II in Kalimela block, 22-year-old Rina Kabasi, withdrawing from the polls after mysteriously going “missing”, only to be “found” hours later in a dramatic turn of events.

The BJP on Thursday alleged that the BJD had promised Rina Rs 10 lakh for withdrawing her nomination. The BJP alleged that Rina withdrew her nomination under pressure from the BJD. Otherwise, why should she decide to withdraw from the contest without informing or discussing it first with the party, the BJP asked.

“A BJD activist who works at the Kalimela police station as a home guard struck a deal with Rina’s family, offered her money, job and a Rs 10 lakh blank cheque,” alleged Samal Sunani, BJP spokesperson.

The BJD dismissed the allegations as completely baseless and false.

“As the poll dates come closer, they (BJP) will throw more charges at us. The charges that we have bought their candidate are baseless. With Rs 10 lakh, we can win all the 15 Zilla Parishad zones of the district. Why should we give such a sum to the BJP? We are not a party that ‘buys’ candidates. Instead of blaming us, the BJP leadership should find out why they are unable to retain their own candidates. We should not be dragged into it. We are going to win. We are seeking votes on the basis of the development work done by the BJD in the last 20 years,” said Rajendra Panda, BJD spokesperson.

Earlier also, Samantsinghar has alleged poll code violations by the BJD. She had complained to the SEC that BJD members were attacking BJP candidates who have filed nomination for the polls. A BJP worker was attacked in Chikiti and another candidate was attacked in Laikera, she had complained to the SEC.