Scared of Modi wave, Naveen & Co. resorting to violence: Odisha BJP

Bhubaneswar: State BJP vice president Samir Mohanty today slammed BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik and his leaders for the incidents of violence reported from several constituencies during the first phase polls yesterday. Mohanty claimed that the BJD, apprehensive of losing out in the 2019 elections, is resorting to violence in an attempt to suppress the Modi wave in Odisha.

Mohanty held the ruling-BJD members responsible for the alleged attacks on BJP workers in Chikiti, Digapahandi and Bhanjanagar under the Berhampur parliamentary constituency which went to polls yesterday.

During a press meet, Mohanty alleged that many BJP leaders and workers sustained injuries and BJP's Chikiti Assembly candidate, Manoranjan Dyanasamantray was also brutally thrashed at Jhatiapadar Booth-no 42.

This apart, Mohanty alleged rigging at several booths in Chikiti while further stating that BJP poll agents were not allowed inside 18 booths. One polling agent was even locked inside booth no - 159 of Koraput, he claimed.

Mohanty further opined that such incidents give clear evidence that the BJD has become nervous with the rising Modi wave. “We urge the preacher of non-violence (Naveen Patnaik) to rein in his workers and stop such violence,” Mohanty said.

“As per our assessment, Bharatiya Janata Party will win four of the four Lok Sabha seats and over half of assembly constituencies that went into polls in the first phase,” the BJP leader said.

However, the BJD is yet to respond to the allegations leveled by Samir Mohanty.