Bijepur bypoll: BJP levels code violation charges against BJD

Bhubaneswar: Demanding stern action, the State unit of BJP today moved the State Election Commission with charges of violation of model code of conduct against ruling party legislator Arun Sahoo while he was campaigning for the bypoll to the Bijepur Assembly constituency.

The BJP stated Sahoo lured voters with cheap rice and old age pension schemes during a meeting in Charapali panchayat under Bijepur block on February 7. A video CD was also submitted by BJP leaders as evidence against Sahoo to the State Election Commission.

Sources said Sahoo had also stated that villages which will cast highest number votes in favour of BJD, will be rewarded.

Reacting to Sahoo's remarks, BJP vice president Samir Mohanty said, "The model code of conduct has been violated by the ruling party legislator and we demand that the SEC should take strict action against him."

Refuting the charges, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said, "Sahoo is not the party's star campaigner so that people will vote on the basis of his statements. He only presented his views."

"It is up to the Election Commission to decide whether there has been a violation of model code of conduct or not," Deb added.

Yesterday the ruling party had brought charges of violation of model code of conduct against the BJP over a video uploaded on Facebook.