BHUBANESWAR: With the panchayat polls drawing nearer, the war of words between the Congress and the BJD is intensifying with each passing day. And there seems to be no end to accusations and recriminations as each side charges the other with violating model code of conduct.
On Monday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was given clean chit by the State Election Commission (SEC). The Congress had gone full throttle over a meeting at Tangi in Khurda district where Naveen shared the dais with a party candidate. The commission’s observation came on the basis of the Khurda Collector’s report. However, it has cautioned the candidates not to identify themselves with any party during the campaigning.
The commission has also decided to ask the BJD to make its complaint specific about its objection to the ‘illegality’ of Congress manifesto. It will analyse the Congress manifesto before taking a decision.
For its part, the Congress on Monday dared the BJD to go to the people after the latter’s complaint on violation of poll code.
The Congress announced that it will reply to the commission if a notice is issued for publishing a manifesto. On the other hand, the party lodged a complaint that propaganda for `2 per kg rice and ‘Mamata’ schemes is being done by some electronics media with photographs of Naveen and BJD symbol conch. The Congress demanded that such advertisements should be banned forthwith.