Vikash Sharma

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today moved the State Election Commission seeking action against Rajendra Dholakia, BJD’s candidate from Nuapada after he was allegedly spotted distributing cash to voters during an election rally.

A BJP delegation led by party’s Odisha unit vice-president Samir Mohanty met the chief electoral officer (CEO) and submitted a memorandum in this regard. The BJP alleged that Dholakia was caught on camera distributing cash from his pocket during a rally organised near Khariar Road yesterday.

The party also alleged that Dholakia’s supporter, Titu Panda also threatened to attack BJP workers during the rally held yesterday. The saffron party leaders demanded the returning officer to immediately file an FIR against Dholakia and his supporter.

“In broad daylight, BJD’s sitting MLA and candidate from Nuapada, Rajendra Dholakia was spotted distributing cash to voters. His supporter also issued threats to BJP workers in the region. We have apprised the CEO about the incidents which are clearly a violation of the model code of conduct,” said Mohanty.

Dholakia, on the other hand, admitted that he distributed cash but it was only meant for the poor and the needy.

“Every day some poor and needy people come to me for food and medicine and there is no other motive,” claimed Dholakia.

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