Bijepur bypoll: BJP charges four bureaucrats with code violation

Bhubaneswar: Alleging violation of model code of conduct which is in force for Bijepur bypoll, the Odisha unit of BJP today lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)  against four senior bureaucrats demanding action against them for a free and fair election.

The four officers are - V K Pandian, private secretary to the CM, Sujata Karthikeyan, commissioner cum director of Mission Shakti of Women and Child Development department, D S Kutey, officer on special duty to CM and Gopabandhu Das, joint secretary to CM.

A BJP delegation led by State vice president Sameer Mohanty met CEO Surendra Kumar and alleged that the four officers were working for the ruling party in violation of the model code of conduct in force for the by-poll to Bijepur assembly seat which will be held on February 24.

The BJP urged the CEO to ask the four officers to go on leave till completion of the Bijepur bypoll as they were allegedly misusing their official posts in furthering the interests of the ruling BJD.

"We have drawn attention of the CEO to the activities of the four officers who work for the Biju Janata Dal thereby violating the model code of conduct. Hence, action should be taken against them. They should be asked to go on leave to conduct a free and fair by-elections. We have submitted a memorandum to CEO in this regard," Mohanty said.

The state government, as per the instruction of the Election Commission yesterday removed the collector and SP of Bargarh district. Bijepur assembly segment is in Bargarh district.