Bhubaneswar: The explosion in Balanga police station in Puri district on Monday night has led to a war of words between opposition BJP and ruling BJD. While BJP alleges that the explosives in the police station were meant to disrupt Pipili byelection, BJD has challenged it to substantiate the claim with evidence.
In his reaction to the explosion that was reportedly caused by the seized explosives stored in the police station, the BJP’s national spokesman Sambit Patra said it has put the democratic process in the ensuing byelection to Pipili Assembly constituency under the cloud.
Even as there have been reports of gang wars in Pipili, the police have failed to maintain law and order in the area, he alleged. The fact that Pipili comes under Banlanga police station and the SDPO belongs to Pipili puts a question mark on the safety of the voters, he added.
Senior BJD leader and minister Samir Dash told the media that the explosion is suspected to have occurred due to the explosives seized in 2018 and solar batteries were also stored there. “There is no relation with the by-election to this incident,” Dash added.
Asking as to why the explosives were not destroyed and stored inside the police station, Patra said if police are not safe in Pipili, how can they ensure security to people?
Demanding an impartial probe into the incident, he said the BJP will move the Election Commission of India in this regard.
Responding to the BJP’s allegation, vice-president of BJD Debi Prasad Mishra said it is unfounded and baseless. If the BJP has any proof to substantiate the allegation, it should come forward with it.
He further said the opposition party is issuing such statements as it has realised that it will be defeated squarely in the byelection. The police are investigating the incident and the truth will be revealed soon, he added.
