BJP alleges discrepancy in panchayat poll results

Bhubaneswar: Amid fresh allegations and counter allegations of forgery in counting and discrepancy in the declaration of the three-tier panchayat poll results, the BJP today has alleged that the ruling BJD has snatched away 34 Zilla Parishad zones from the former.

Demanding suspension of an Election Officer, alleging him of felicitating the victory of a BJD candidate at Zilla Parishad Zone-3 in Dunguripalli of Subarnapur district, BJP activists have staged dharna before the residence of the District Collector.

BJP leaders Baladev Prasad Bedbak demanded, “The election malpractice should be probed and the State Election Commissioner should order repolling and recounting at five booths in the area before the publication of final result booklet.”

In Jajpur district, locals have gathered under the banner of Mallikapur Nagarika Manch demanding justice alleging that the candidate who had gained large share of votes during the polls has lost as 82 votes were rejected during recounting and another candidate was announced winner.

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Similarly in Nuapada district, Malati Majhi, Sarpanch candidate of Agren Panchayat has alleged before the District Collector that while she was 255 votes ahead of her nearest opponent during the rural polls held on February 13, after the declaration of the result she lost the seat by 119 votes. She even alleged of not receiving a single vote from her ward.

Talking to media persons Nuapada Collector Md Sadiq Alam said, “I have received the allegation and the counting in the area was done on February 23. The Block Election Officer will decide on the matter but anyway I have asked the BDO to submit a factual report.”

Other than the above areas, BJP has alleged that the BJD has snatched away 34 Zilla Parishad seats throughout the State by means of malpractice. The BJP has decided to approach the court in this matter.

In a Press meet here BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, "We will approach the High Court with all the facts where the winning candidates have lost due to the discrepancy done by the BJD."

Also read: BJD, BJP accuse each other of nexus with Cong in rural polls

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra in his media statement said, "The amount of violence, disregard of law and order and indiscipline in these elections had not occurred earlier; if all the parties have agreed to use of money and muscle power than the election is a drama."

In reply to the allegations BJD spokesman Sashi Bhusan Behera said, "If we don't believe the Election Commission, we do not use the opportunity to allege before it and even doubt after using the opportunity, than the opposition is informing others that they have lost their faith in democracy."