Odisha Bypoll: BJP Alleges Rigging By Ruling BJD In Dhamnagar

Bhadrak: As voting for the bypoll to Dhamnagar Assembly Constituency in Odisha was underway, tension prevailed at some places with opposition BJP accusing the ruling BJD of indulging in rigging.

According to reports, local BJP leaders alleged that the ruling party workers were resorting to unfair practices and indulging in booth capturing and rigging in at least two booths in Khalagadia when polling was in progress.

Tension erupted after the saffron party leaders accused BJD workers of resorting to unfair means at booth numbers 22 and 23 in Khalagadia in the Assembly segment in Bhadrak district as members of the two groups came face to face.

Sensing trouble, the administration swung into action and police personnel as well as sector officer rushed to the spot to bring situation under control and prevent any major flare up.

Tension also erupted at Rameswarpur near booth No. 169 and 170 after two groups clashed during polling, reports said, adding that two persons sustained injuries in the incident. Both were rushed to hospital and normalcy was restored after police intervened.

Earlier, voting disrupted at some polling stations including booth number 75 at Kanpada and booth number 15 at Mangalpur primary school reportedly due to technical glitches in the electronic voting machines (EVM).

Meanwhile, 38.75% of eligible voters had cast their votes in the by-election by 1 pm, the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) informed.