The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) against government employees, who are allegedly working for the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) party programmes in Keonjhar and Bhubaneswar, citing that it is a clear-cut violation of the election model code of conduct (MCC).
A delegation of the BJP led by the party’s state vice president, Golak Mohapatra visited the CEO's office and submitted a memorandum to him, demanding action against the said government employees.
As per the allegation, an employee of Patitapaban College in Keonjhar named Alok Kumar Das is openly campaigning for Badri Narayan Patra, who is contesting for the Ghasipura Assembly seat on a BJD ticket. Similarly, an officer of the Supplies department named Prakash Chandra Swain is working and campaigning for a BJD candidate, who has been nominated for the Bhubaneswar North Assembly seat, the BJD alleged.
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“Today we met the CEO and submitted a memorandum to him. We have drawn the attention of the CEO to how government employees are working for BJD candidates. In Keonjhar, Alok Kumar Das, an employee of the Patitapabana College, is openly campaigning for BJD’s Badri Narayan Patra. Das was also seen sharing the dais with the leaders. We have provided a photo of the said meeting and a paper clipping of the news item. Similarly, an officer of the Supplies department named Prakash Chandra Swain is working and campaigning for the BJD’s candidate for the Bhubaneswar North seat,” said Mohapatra.
No comments were received from the concerned employees or the BJD.