[Watch] Cong Condemns Violence In 1st Phase Of Panchayat Polls; Union Minister Tweets Reaction

Bhubaneswar: With violent incidents reported from different parts of the state in the first phase of three-tier panchayat elections on Wednesday, opposition BJP and Congress have strongly condemned the state government failure in ensuring free and fair polls.

In a video message, OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik said the incidents of booth capturing, ballot box snatching and attack on media persons has exposed the government inability to maintain law and order during the panchayat elections.

He termed the violence, perpetrated by ruling BJD, as murder of democracy at grassroots level and said the ruling party intends to win the election with its money and muscle power.

Violence Proves Govt Failure To Ensure Peaceful Panchayat Polls: OPCC Chief – YouTube

The reported cases of involvement of government officials joining hands with the BJD workers in campaigning and bribing the voters is as much shocking as condemnable, the veteran Congress leader said.

He called upon the government to award exemplary punishment to the people involved in derailing the democratic process and spreading a state of lawlessness to restore the image of Odisha as a peaceful and  just state.

State BJP leader and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also come down heavily on the government for poll related violence.

While overwhelming turnout of voters reflects people’s confidence in democratic process, violence during the elections is a matter of grave concern, Pradhan said in a tweet.

“I condemn the attempt of the ruling BJD to disrupt the election process by resorting to violent means and call upon the government to take strong action against the people involved in such acts so that a free and fair election can be ensure in the rest four phases,” Pradhan said in the tweet.