Bijepur bypoll, a fight with CM officials rather than BJD: Pradhan

Bargarh: With only a day remaining for by-election to Bijepur assembly seat, the BJP today charged CM's private secretary VK Pandian and officials of CMO with involving in the poll affairs of BJD in Bijepur.

At a press meet, senior BJP leader and Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that Pandian has sent 100 government officials to Bijepur, who will help the BJD in the election.

"We have a specific information that Pandian, the chief political worker of CM Naveen Patnaik had convened a meeting in Bhubaneswar two days ago. After the meeting held in presence of four other bureaucrats Kutte, Pradipta, RupaRoshan Sahoo and Gopabandhu, it was decided to send 100 hundred government officials to Bijepur on special leave. These officials will help the BJD in conducting election here", Pradhan alleged.

"We want these bureaucrats along with the 100 officials to be kept under strict vigil for the next three days. Their phone calls and Whatsapp should be monitored round the clock. All their activities should be videographed for a free and fair election," he said.

These matters have been put forth before the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officer, he added.

"We expected a political battle but, the fight has now been reduced to a fight with the officials of CMO," he lamented.

Pradhan also demanded that Labour Minister Sushant Singh should be kept out of Bijepur.

"As we apprehend that minister Sushant Singh might create disturbance, he should be kept under strict surveillance or sent out of Bijepur," he demanded.

Responding to the saffron allegations, BJD MP and party vice-president Prasanna Acharya, at a press meet said the Petroleum Minister forcefully shut a petrol pump in Bijepur owned by a BJD worker.

"Three days ago, Dharmendra Pradhan had visited the petrol pump and abused the staff. The next day, the officials of his ministry visited the spot and shut it. Isn't it a violation of model code of conduct?” he questioned.

On the allegation of the saffron party on minister Sushant Singh, Acharya asked the saffron leader to lodge complaint with election commission.