BJD MP raises concern over cash for vote remark of LoP

Bhubaneswar: A day after Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra stated that money changed hands during the recently concluded Bijepur bypoll to lure voters, BJD's Sambalpur MP Nagendra Pradhan today said that democracy is in danger if the former's remarks are true.

"If Mishra's statement that Rs 5,000 was offered to each voter during the bypoll is true, then it's a serious issue. Law should amended to ensure voters exercise their franchise without being influenced by money," Pradhan said.

Yesterday, Mishra while addressing a seminar organised by University Law College in Puri said crores of rupees have been spent during the bypoll with each voter being offered Rs 5,000.

“We have got Rs 5000 per vote. How much you will offer? A voter asked me during campaigning in Bijepur. If one voter is offered Rs 5,000, one can imagine how much money might have been spent in the bypoll as there are 2.21 lakh voters in the constituency,” Mishra had said.

Minister Mohanty, who shared stage with Mishra at the seminar, had stated that in the present times had Mahatma Gandhi been alive he would have lost elections without money.

Reacting to the statements made by Minister Maheswar Mohanty on Mahtma Gandhi, the Samabalpur MP said the remarks are not in good taste. "The Minister's statements reflect his own personal opinion," Pradhan added.