Bargarh: A day after gunshots were fired at a BJP activist’s residence in Pada village of Bijepur block, the saffron party today blamed the BJD of indulging in violence to win the bypoll.
Three masked men allegedly fired three gunshots at the BJP activist’s house on Sunday evening and fled the spot.
Accusing the ruling party, Odisha BJP in charge Arun Singh said the BJD is trying to create a fear in the minds of people in the constituency by such activities. "The party might have foreseen a defeat in the bypoll and also the 2019 assembly elections, which is almost evident, due to its failure in providing good governance in 17 years of its rule. Fearing defeat, the BJD has resorted to violence," said Singh.
Police must do a fair investigation and arrest the accused involved in the incident. Appropriate police action is needed to maintain peace in the area, said BJD spokesperson, Golak Mohapatra.
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Meanwhile, the BJD has refuted the allegations stating that the BJP is unnecessarily trying to drag the party's name.
"The person whose house was targeted had been threatening people in the region. Locals have also lodged an FIR against him. I request the police to bring all the culprits to book," said Labour Minister Sushant Singh.
The BJD is already wining the bypoll. Fear has gripped the BJP and not the BJD, added the minister.
The by-election to the Bijepur constituency, which was necessitated following the death of Congress' sitting MLA Subal Sahu on August 22, is expected to take place in the next couple of months.