Odisha Panchayat Polls: Govt Officials Campaigning For BJD, Claims BJP; Delegation Meets SEC

A delegation of leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday called on the State Election Commission (SEC) to cite instances of Odisha government officials campaigning for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the upcoming three-tier Panchayat polls in the State.

As alleged by the saffron party, Polsara's Buguda Tehsildar Sangram Keshari Jena has turned the government's Tehsil office into a BJD war room for the rural elections. 

Moreover, BJP has also alleged that Rs 10 lakh has been transferred to the bank account of BJP's Zilla Parishad candidate from Kalimela in Malkangiri, Rani Kabasi's father from the account of Home Guard Sudhir Swain, who was abducted. 

The saffron party has also alleged that many government officials have been inducing as well as threatening the BJP candidates over different issues by misusing the public office at the behest of BJD. 

The list of complaints made by BJP also includes the incident of Athamallik's Kishan Nagar Block Chairman Babita Pradhan and Kishan Nagar Block Development Officer (BDO) unfurling the Tricolour on Republic day. This was despite the rules that bars government officials from hoisting the National flag in their home district.

The BJP delegation also alleged that even though Namita Nayak was announced victorious unopposed from Ankuli Panchayat in Patrapur Block of Chikiti, the BDO of Patrapur played his cards and pushed for re-election alleging stealing of nomination papers.

The delegation led by party General Secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar has demanded investigation into all these incidents and stern action against the culprit government officials.

However, the response from the ruling party over the allegations couldn't be obtained.