Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) moved Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Monday alleging use of children in the election campaign of Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) Kendrapada Lok Sabha candidate Anshuman Mohanty.
In a petition to the CEO, Kendrapara district BJP president Kishore Panda alleged that children are being actively used in the election campaign activities of Mohanty, BJD candidate for Kendrapada Parliamentary constituency.
The BJP leader sought immediate action against Mohanty for alleged use of children in violation of model code of conduct.
Noting that the model code of conduct prohibits the involvement of children in electoral campaigns, Panda said this is designed to protect the welfare and rights of children, ensuring that they are not exploited for political gains or exposed to the partisan environments that election campaigns invariably create.
The BJP leader claimed that the ruling BJD is using children for campaigning while organising poll rallies in Kendrapada, which is unfortunate and condemnable.
Stating that the people of Kendrapada have also expressed concern over this development, he urged the CEO to take appropriate steps in this connection and get the matter investigated.
BJD leader Mohanty was not immediately available for comment.
