Bhubaneswar: Alleging violation of the model code of conduct, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha and demanded stern action against Odisha DGP RP Sharma and Special DG of Police, Intelligence, Sunil Roy.
A panel of the State BJP led by party vice president, Samir Mohanty on Tuesday submitted a letter, addressed to the Election Commission of India (ECI), to the CEO stating that the State Intelligence Branch of the Odisha Police comes under the direct supervision and control of the Election Commission after the declaration of the election dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct. However, in an utter disregard to the code of conduct, Sunil Roy, Special DG (Intelligence) allegedly carried out a review of the CM's Assembly constituency and submitted a report.
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The State DG also hastily claimed the review report, which is making rounds in social media, as fake (through a tweet) without even investigating the authenticity of the report. Such action shows that the State Police are working on behalf of the ruling-BJD in Odisha, alleged Mohanty.
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"The way RP Sharma and Sunil Roy showed their promptness in the matter, it reflects that they are part of and working for the BJD. It's a gross violation of the poll code of conduct. So, we have demanded action against both the officers," said Mohanty, adding that the party has also requested a probe by the CBI or NIA to ascertain the authenticity of the letter.
Addressing a presser, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb termed the report as fake and said, "There is no section in the Intelligence Directorate called SIB Political Desk. The number on the intelligence report was also the same as that on the letter doing the rounds during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly polls."
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He further lashed out at the BJP alleging that the saffron party is trying to spread lies and mislead people. "People of Odisha should know how the BJP is involved in such cheap politics and vehemently trying to mislead public opinion. Why is BJP so afraid of Naveen Patnaik contesting from Bijepur? Has Naveen's decision scrambled BJP's political equations? Is there any political motive behind this?" Pratap Deb asked.
Responding to the BJD's allegations, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra says, "As BJD is on the backfoot, the party is making such claims. We had received the letter from social media & the matter should be handed over to CBI to ascertain the authenticity of the letter."
Besides, State BJP spokesperson Pitambar Acharya dared Odisha police to arrest the saffron party leaders over the intelligence report allegedly prepared by Odisha Police Intelligence Branch.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said that several things show that the report is fake and investigation is on to ascertain the origin of the 'fake' report. "No case has been filed against any person in connection with the incident. Those, who were in the press meet and produced the document, will be asked about the origin of the report," Mohanty added.
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On Monday, BJP produced a letter allegedly of Odisha Police Intelligence Branch, which recommended that Naveen Patnaik should not contest from Hinjili Assembly seat due to public resentment and also recommended alternate constituencies to contest in 2019 polls. The saffron party also alleged that out of fear, the CM has run to Bijepur Assembly constituency.