BJP alleges poll code violation by Odisha CM, questions channels beaming it live

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here alleging that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik violated the model code of conduct by organising poll meetings across the State.

Speaking to the media after meeting the CEO, State BJP vice president Samir Mohanty said, "CM Naveen has himself violated the poll code by conducting poll meetings at three different places in Boudh, Sonepur and Baliguda when the first phase polling was already underway in the State. Besides, some TV channels had telecast the CM's programme live."

He further said that when the BJP held a press meet on Wednesday, the BJD moved the CEO alleging poll code violation and also demanded action against a TV channel by claiming that the concerned channel telecast the presser live.

"If complaint was brought against one TV channel for allegedly telecasting BJP press meet, why action shouldn't be taken against other channels for the live telecast of CM's programme?" Mohanty questioned, adding that the CEO should be impartial and must take appropriate action.