BJP alleges ostracisation of party workers by 'BJD goons'

Bhubaneswar: With the conclusion of first phase polls, the State unit of BJP has levelled serious allegations of ostracisation of its party workers in Chikiti Assembly constituency of Ganjam district.

BJP candidate from the constituency, Manoranjan Samantaray has alleged that BJD activists have ostracised his supporters and agents at several places of the Assembly segment after the conclusion of first phase elections.

In a video clip, one G Debendra, a supporter of Samantaray was seen narrating the ordeal how BJD workers have been threatening and ostracised him for campaigning for the BJP candidate.

"Neither we are being allowed to use village water, nor are we allowed to buy ration. No one is also communicating with us and the only reason for that is, we are supporting a different party other than BJD," said complainant G Debendra.

Not only Debendra, but BJD activists have also resorted to threatening BJP agents and workers by forcibly collecting Rs 1000 from them as penalty for supporting the saffron party.

"At least six agents of our party in Govindpur village have been penalised with Rs 1000 while many others have been ostracised. I too was also attacked by BJD activists. We demand that something needs to be done to end this hooligansim right away," said BJP candidate Manoranjan Samantaray.

Hitting back at the allegations, BJD leader Rabi Nanda said, "Barring a few, if most people of a village take sides with BJD , should the ruling party be blamed if they are ostracised during the election period?"

On the other hand, in Jeypore, political unrest continues to get even more serious after allegations of booth rigging and threateneing against BJD workers.

According to sources, one Sheikh Imran Khan and his associates have been accused of spreading terror in the MukhiKhudupi village booth during first phase polls. The BJP had also targeted BJD's Rabi Nanda in connection with the incident yesterday.

Hundreds of Congress activists led by Tara Prasad Bahinipati also staged protest and gheraoed the Sadar police station on Sunday alleging inaction against the accused involved in spreading hooliganism during election period.

"BJD goons entered inside the booth by brandishing guns and warned public to cast their votes for their party. But instead of arresting them, the police have only become a spectator due to instructions from higher-ups sitting at Bhubaneswar," said Tara Bahinipati.

However, Rabi Nanda refuted allegations levelled by the Opposition leader.