Odisha Bypoll: BJP Petitions CEO For Deployment Of Central Forces In Jharsuguda

Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday petitioned Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) seeking deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for Jharsuguda Assembly by-election slated for May 10.

A delegation of BJP visited the office of the CEO and submitted a memorandum claiming that law and order situation in Odisha, particularly bypoll-bound Jharsuguda, is has deteriorated.

The BJP team also cited the gunning down of minister Naba Kishore Das in broad day light at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district. The minister’s murder led to the by-election.

Alleging that ruling BJD activists indulged in hooliganism and violence in booth No. 20 of Mangala Bazar in Jharsuguda today, the BJP leaders said free and fair election will not be possible unless elaborate security measures are taken.

The delegation claimed that 71 of the 253 polling booths of Jharsuguda assembly constituency are highly sensitive. Therefore, steps should be taken to ensure extensive security arrangements in these booths, BJP state media cell chief Dillip Mallick said.

Apart from CCTV cameras, drone cameras should also be deployed in and around these booths, he said, adding that CAPF personnel must be deployed in Jharsuguda to ensure free, fair and impartial bypoll.