Poll Code Violation: Puri Collector Serves Notice On Sambit Patra

Puri: Puri Collector and Returning Officer Jyoti Prakash Das has served notice on Sambit Patra, the BJP candidate for Puri Lok Sabha seat, for violation of the model code of conduct during the election campaign on Tuesday.

In the notice, the Returning Officer has sought clarification from Patra on taking out election rally from Uttara Square, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, to Puri without his prior permission.

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Talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Patra said he is yet to receive the notice from the Returning Officer. “I will have my reply in detail once I receive it,” he added.

Stating that he has the highest regards to the Constitution of the country, the BJP national spokesperson maintained that he had not violated the model code of conduct.

Replying to a question on the complaint lodged against him by the Congress with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for holding the idol of Lord Jagannath during the election rally on Tuesday, Patra said an old man of Pipili had gifted him the idol of the Lord.

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“I had come to Puri for the first time after my party chose me to contest the Lok Sabha seat. There is no political jugglery on this issue. Rather, the Opposition parties have brought such flimsy allegations against me as they are apprehensive of the growing popularity of the BJP and the overwhelming support of the people,” he pointed out.

Accusing him of doing politics over religion, the BJD had also lodged a complaint with Simhadwar police station on Tuesday and demanded stringent action against him