Papadahandi block administration in Nabarangpur district seized a vehicle of BJD MLA Manohar Randhari for stacking sarees, towels and shawls to allegedly distribute among the voters ahead of the forthcoming three-tier Panchayat polls.
Local Tehsildar Jogeswar Bhoi and the block Election Officer seized the vehicle of the Dabugaon MLA and brought it to Papadahandi police station based on the complaint filed by former Congress MLA Bhujabala Majhi and his daughter Lipika Majhi.
As many as 284 sarees, 500 towels and 162 shawls were seized from the vehicle in presence of Randhari.
As per reports, Randhari was trying to influence the voters by allegedly distributing the sarees, towels and shawls among people at Randagunda in Nabarangpur.
Demanding seizure of the vehicle and strict action against Randhari, Bhujabala and Lipika didn’t let the MLA’s vehicle go. Tension escalated in the area following the incident leading to a face-off between both the parties.
Later, the father-daughter duo filed a written complaint in Papadahandi police station.
“We have seized the vehicle in which the sarees and towels were stacked. Necessary actions will be taken as per the election code of conduct following an inquiry,” said Tehsildar Bhoi.
Bhujabala and his supporters also demanded stringent action against Randhari.
“Randhari was found distributing sarees and towels to influence the voters. His vehicle has been seized and we demand stringent action against him,” said Bhujabala.
On the other hand, Randhari pleaded innocence and said that the opposition is trying to politicise the issue.
“I used to carry clothes in my vehicle and distribute them among people on various social occasions. Opposition is trying to get advantage by politicising the issue during election time,” said Randhari.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)