The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday approached the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha alleging that some government employees participated in a recent election meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A delegation of BJD met the CEO alleging violation of the model code of conduct.
As per the allegation, the BJP held an election meeting at Badapokharia under Tangi block in Khordha district a couple of days back. Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and BJP leader Prashant Jagdev were present while three employees of the Indian Railways attended the meeting, the BJD said.
The ruling party questioned the presence of government employees at a political party's meeting when the model code of conduct is in place.
“We all know that the model code of conduct for the 2024 General Election has already been announced. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it clear that nobody can violate the code of conduct during this period. As many as three employees of the Indian Railways participated in an election meeting of the BJP a couple of days back. It is a clear violation of the model code of conduct,” said BJD leader Sasmit Patra.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Prashant Jagdev refuted the allegation levelled by BJD by terming it as baseless.
“It was not an election meeting, but rather a condolence meeting. Hence there is no question of violation of the model code of conduct. BJD is bringing the false allegation out of desperation,” said Jagdev.
The BJD’s allegation has come a day after some BJP leaders approached the CEO of Odisha questioning the deployment of 74 police personnel for 5T chairperson VK Pandian and targeted the Odisha government over the issue.