BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has dismissed allegations that the model code of conduct was violated during his campaigning at Tangi for the panchayat polls on Sunday.
The Chief Minister told mediapersons that the Opposition is in the habit of making such charges during the last 12 years.
MURDER OF YC ACTIVIST: Meanwhile, the Congress has strongly reacted to the alleged murder of a Youth Congress activist Kartik Mohanty. In a statement, Odisha Pradesh Youth Congress (OPYC) president Sangram Keshari Jena alleged that it is an instance of pre-poll violence unleashed by the BJD to intimidate workers belonging to Opposition parties.
Jena demanded strong action against those responsible for the alleged murder. Kartik of Manibandh village in Bolgarh block was found dead in his shop. The Congress has alleged that it is a premeditated murder by political rivals.
The OPYC president has warned that the Chief Minister will face opposition during his campaign if attack against Congress workers continues.
As the poll campaign gains momentum, CPI, CPM, Forward Bloc, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party have sought the State Election Commission (SEC) to either withdraw its directive barring political parties from extending support to sarpanch, panchayat samiti and ward member candidates or should ensure that the BJD does not flout it.
The five parties maintained that the SEC should not interfere in the matter. It infringes their freedom, a release jointly issued by the parties said.