BJD MPs meet EC demanding action against Oram over poll fund irregularities

New Delhi: More than 10 Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs led by Rajya Sabha member Dilip Tirkey today met Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti demanding action against Union Minister Jual Oram over poll expenditure irregularities.

They alleged Union Minister Oram has provided wrong information in his poll affidavit.

After meeting the Election Commissioner, Tirkey said, "In poll affidavit filed before the EC during the 2014 general polls, Oram has provided some wrong information on poll fund. A complaint has been lodged and we demand action following an elaborate inquiry."

Tirkey lost to Oram during a fray for Sundergarh Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 general polls. Later, Tirkey was elected to the Rajya Sabha.

Another member of the Upper House Pratap Deb said, "There are some discrepancies in the fund received by Oram from BJP and the amount he spent during the polls. We had raised the issue earlier and briefed media in Bhubaneswar. Today we informed the Election Commission and demanded a probe into the charges."

Meanwhile, Oram commented, BJD's allegations are politically motivated. If the Election Commission issues notice to me, I will submit a reply."

Earlier, BJP had unearthed some discrepancies in the election expenditure statement of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Therefore, the steps taken by BJD MPs is seen as a counter offensive to BJP.