BJP protests poll violence by BJD, scuffle with police

Bhubaneswar: Protesting the poll violence triggered by the ruling BJD in the just concluded Panchayat polls in Odisha, the BJP activists had a scuffle with the police during a rally near the State Assembly in the capital city here today.

Talking to media persons, BJP leader Golakh Mohapatra said his party has warned that if the BJD does not refrain from violence, it will intensify its agitation across the state in the coming days.

"What was the fault of Bulu whom you killed yesterday in Hinjli? You killed him as he did not turn up to vote for you. What was the fault of Salman in Tarabha? You killed him as he pasted a poster of the opposition party. You will kill anyone if you feel that the power is slipping away from your hands. Why did you kill one person in Begunia and torch hundreds of houses of BJP activists? Are you only concerned about the vote and not the plight of the general public? Mohapatra asked.

Claiming that the ruling party killed Salman Rout of Tarabha village with the help of police who are acting as its goons, the BJP leader said how the BJD, which went to the extent of the violence after its seat declined from 600 to 350, will react after its seats come down to 100-150.

Expressing similar views BJP leader and former minister Samir De said the Chief Minister, who is in charge of the Home department, remained silent to the murder of Bulu Pradhan, a BJP activist in his home constituency in Hinjilikatu. Salman was also killed in the similar manner."From Hinjilikatu to Jatni, Khurda, Niali and all other places, BJD has unleashed a reign of terror with the help of some police officers," he pointed out.

The former minister further said his party workers and leaders had gathered here today to warn the BJD to stay away from such violent acts failing which we will give the ruling party a befitting reply in the coming days.