Odisha Elections 2024: BJD Alleges Violent Attacks By BJP, Seeks CEO’s Action

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) against Odisha BJP members accusing them of mounting violent attacks on ruling party leaders and supporters allegedly due to fear of defeat in 2024 elections.

Senior BJD leaders brought to the notice of CEO two incidents of violence and vandalism allegedly by BJP workers and sought his intervention.

In a memorandum, the regional party claimed that a campaign organised by Dharmasala MLA  Pranab Balabantaray from Rahamba Rasalpur to Pakhara Gram Panchayat was disrupted by supporters of Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, an independent MLA candidate, who was in BJP earlier.

The petition alleged that BJP supporters who were in an SUV ran over 20 motorcyclists participating in the campaign, severely injuring four persons and causing minor injuries to many others.

It further alleged that there was also an attack on BJD’s Pipili MLA Rudra Maharathy on Sunday in Terundia Gram Panchayat in Nimapara block by supporters of BJP leader Samirr Dash, a close associate of Nimapada BJP Assembly candidate Pravati Parida. In the attack, Maharathy’s car was badly damaged, the BJD petition alleged.

The BJD leaders urged the CEO to ensure that the candidates can campaign in the elections without fear of violence and intimidation.