Politics boils over Prashant Jagdev’s arrest as BJP sees deep conspiracy against him

The state’s political temperature on Sunday rose by a few notches as the BJP accused the ruling party of hatching a conspiracy against Chilika MLA and BJP leader Prashant Jagdev. 

The Khordha unit of the saffron party has warned to hit the streets from Monday if Jagdev is not released soon.

The Chilika legislator was arrested on the charges of toppling an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during the third phase of polling at a booth in Kaunripatana village under Bolagarh block in Khordha district on Saturday.

BJP warns stir

“The day Jagdev left BJD and joined BJP, conspiracies are being hatched against him. Various allegations against him are being brought before the Election Commission and district administration. If he is involved in any kind of wrongdoing then the CCTV footage at the booth should be made public. If Jagdev is not released by tomorrow morning without any condition, we will stage protests,” said BJP’s Bhubaneswar Election in-charge, Jeevan Sahu.

BJP leader Pradeep Panigrahi too took the side of Jagdev. 

“Yesterday, Jagdev demanded the scrutiny of the CCTV footage and making it public. If the allegations against the MLA are substantiated, action should be taken against him. But, if they are found false, the action against him should be treated as illegal and motivated. Isn't it a conspiracy against him?” asked BJP leader Pradeep Panigrahi.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJD condemned the incident.

“This kind of incident has never happened in Odisha. All these leaders have been expelled from BJD. They have no right to teach morals,” said BJD leader Bhrugu Baxipatra.

Meanwhile, the arrest of Jagdev has also triggered anger in the locality. 

“MLA Prashant Jagdev had not toppled EVM. Some miscreants hurled abusive language at him and damaged EVMs,” said Balaram Nayak, an eyewitness voter.

While briefing journalists about the arrest of the MLA, Khordha SP Abinash Kumar said that Jagdev has been arrested on the basis of the FIR lodged by the Presiding Officer.

“The MLA has been arrested following a complaint of the presiding officer. He was also accused of damaging an EVM and misconduct inside the booth,” said the SP. 

“As the CCTV footage is under the authorization of the District Election Officer during polling, we have applied to him for verification,” he added.