BHUBANESWAR: In the wake of ongoing BJD-BJP fight in the State, the ruling party of Odisha was put under scanner over election funding on Friday by a private television channel. The channel alleged that large sums running into lakhs of rupees were deposited in the bank account of the regional outfit by an ordinary worker of the party raising questions about the source of the money.
The BJD was also accused of suppressing information to the Election Commission of India (ECI).The BJD was, however, quick to dismiss the allegation as motivated and not based on facts. Rajya Sabha member and BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said, all accounts of party’s election expenditure have been placed before the competent authority.Terming it as a conspiracy to tarnish the image of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and BJD, Deb said the party believes in transparency and that is the reason behind its growing popularity.
Referring to the Zilla Parishad election for Komna seat in Nuapada district, the home turf of state BJP president Basanta Panda, Deb said it has proved the popularity of BJD supremo as well as the party. “Disappointed with the result, some forces are trying to malign the BJD and its chief,” he said.
Interestingly, the election funding issue was raised on the floor of the State Assembly on May 4, 2016 by Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra who had sought clarification on deposits in the BJD account during a discussion on the chit fund scam.