As Odisha braces up for the upcoming urban elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that several corporator candidates of the party contesting in Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) have received threats to withdraw their candidature.
As per reports, several BJP candidates have alleged that they are being lured with different offers as well as threatened to withdraw their nominations from the elections.
"They are threatening to withdraw the candidature through phone calls and even by means of some anti-social people. They asked me to stick to my business and not enter politics and also threatened of dire consequences if I defy their orders," said Arjun Jena, husband of a female BJP candidate.
As per reports, in two days alone, as many as four BJP candidates from the ward no - 13, 32, 34 and 35 under BeMC have withdrawn their candidature. As such incidents are on rise, several leaders of the saffron party and workers have stationed themselves outside the Sub-Collector office so that more candidates do not withdraw.
"Till now, 4 candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers in two days. They are being threatened by anti-social elements, who barge into their houses with different weapons. Parents of the candidates are also being threatened for life. We are here to lookout, so that no other candidate withdraws," said Uttam Panigrahi, BJP leader.
Moreover, the saffron party has filed a complaint about such incidents to the Sub-Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Berhampur and demanded the authorities to provide protection to the party candidates.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Collector has said that candidates who are receiving threats can file police complaint.