Bhubaneswar: Hours after a press briefing, claiming Chilika MLA Prashant Jadgev’s innocence in the EVM toppling case, BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday posted a purported CCTV footage of the polling station in Bolagarh block under Begunia assembly constituency, where the incident took place during the third phase of voting in Odisha.
Sharing the video on her Facebook account, Aparajita wrote: “The truth is never hidden. MLA Shri Prasant Jagdev has not broken EVM. That is proved clearly.”
In the video, the 55-year-old BJP candidate from Khurda assembly constituency can be seen voting at one of the EMVs at booth number 114 at Kaunripatana upper primary school amid noisy scenes. As he moves to the other EVM, a loud bang is heard. He is nowhere near the EVMs at that time and can be clearly seen in the CCTV footage standing and speaking to someone. He then votes and leaves the polling station.
Earlier in the day, Aparajita spoke about three evidence to prove that Jagdev had no role in toppling the EVM. “Today, I have received the CCTV footage and it will be made public soon. I also have an audio of BJD worker stating the same. Banamali babu (her driver) has already told the media that he was threatened by police to name the MLA,” she said.
Also Read: Prashant Jagdev Innocent; Have CCTV Footage & Audio Evidence, Says Aparajita Sarangi
She blamed the CM, Naveen Patnaik, and his coterie for hatching a conspiracy to put the sitting legislator behind the bars. “What is happening here is against the principles of natural justice. An MP’s vehicle is accosted and the sitting MLA is dragged out by the police and arrested. He is languishing in jail for last 3 days. Who is responsible for it? The CM, who holds the Home portfolio, should be held accountable for it. Since Prashant Jagdev is a popular leader, the BJD is afraid of him. There is a huge conspiracy behind his arrest. Not only BJP, the people of Odisha, except CM Naveen Patnaik and his coterie, are with the MLA,” she said.
Jagdev was arrested on May 26 for allegedly vandalising an EVM and assaulting polling personnel at booth number 114 in Bolagarh block on May 25.
