BHUBANESWAR: Condemning the murderous attack on senior leader Pratap Sarangi, the State BJP on Friday demanded strong action against the culprits to ensure a free and fair election.
In a memorandum submitted to the State Election Commission (SEC), a delegation of the BJP including senior leader Sajjan Sharma demanded that security should be provided to the BJP leaders as BJD workers are resorting to violence after the party’s poor performance in the first two phase polls.
Citing several other incidents in which BJP workers were attacked, the delegation alleged that BJD activists attacked the BJP candidate by entering her house at Sindhekela. Similarly, there were several incidents of attack on BJP candidates in Kalahandi and Bargarh districts, the memorandum said and demanded that the SEC should direct the administration to ensure a free and fair poll.
The BJP also submitted a memorandum to Director General of Police (DGP) KB Singh and demanded strong action against the culprits.
Meanwhile, the BJD also submitted a memorandum to SEC on Friday alleging that all the petrol pumps, gas agencies and their employees as well as owners are being utilised for election campaign by the BJP. Alleging that this is a violation of the model code of conduct, BJD spokerperson Sashi Bhusan Behera said this has defeated the very purpose of a free and fair election. BJD MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and BYJD general secretary Bijay Nayak were part of the delegation which submitted the memorandum.
Addressing a media conference, Behera admitted that the number of seats won by the BJD in the ZP polls has reduced compared to the poll in 2012, but it has not affected the popularity of the party. Describing the BJP’s surge as a temporary thing, Behera criticised the BJP for taking the help of chief ministers of neighbouring States and Union ministers to campaign for the party candidates in panchayat polls.