BJD activists assault Chikiti candidate, rig booths: BJP

Bhubaneswar: As the first phase of polls commenced in the State, the BJP today charged that activists of ruling BJD are indulging in violence and booth rigging at the Chikiti Assembly constituency in Ganjam district.

Briefing media here, BJP vice president Samir Mohanty alleged that BJD activists led by the party’s youth leader and Chikiti block vice chairman Sachidanada Panda assaulted BJP's Chikiti Assembly candidate Manoranjan Dyansamantray at booth number - 82 in Jhatiapadar.

Besides, the ruling party activists have rigged booths in the assembly constituency. Even BJP polling agents were not allowed to enter as many as 18 polling booths, claimed Mohanty.

He further alleged one BJP agent was locked up in the booth no-159 in Koraput.

“A few days back, BJP had given a list of sensitive booths to the Chief Electoral Officer. But it is very unfortunate to see CEO did not taking any arrangement for deployment extra police and paramilitary forces at the sensitive booths in Chikiti Assembly constituency. Due to lack of adequate security, BJP agents were not allowed to sit in 18 booths. Moreover, BJP Assembly candidate Manoranjan Dyansamantray was attacked by Jhatiapadar BJD youth leader and Chikiti block vice chairman Sachidanada Panda,” said Mohanty.