Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Saturday accused BJD of distributing money to influence the voters in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district and sought immediate intervention of the chief electoral officer (CEO) in this regard.
Speaking to media persons after filing a complaint with the CEO, BJP’s state spokesman Dilip Mallik said a photograph showing a man distribution cash during the campaign of BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate for Nabarangpur Pradeep Majhi has gone viral in social media.
Stating that the person, who is distributing money, has been identified as BJD worker Trinath Bhatt, the BJP spokesman demanded stringent action against both BJD candidate Majhi and Bhatt. The saffron party has also informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) about the incident.
Mallik also said BJD’s MLA candidate for Bhandaripokhari in Bhadrak district Sanjib Kumar Mallik was engaging children to sing and dance during his campaign meetings and rallies which violates the model code of conduct. At the same time, Gania BDO Belita Manjari Nayak and Kantapadda BDO Biranchi Narayan Behera, who are facing cases in Orissa High Court, have been found engaged in election related works.
The BJP leader demanded necessary action against the BJD candidate and the two BDOs by the CEO to ensure free and fair elections in the state.