Bijepur by-polls: BJP meets ECI to discuss over BJD's malpractices

New Delhi [India] February 19 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), to inform about Biju Janata Dal (BJD) using government authorities and large sums of money for their benefits to win by-election in Odisha's Bijepur.

A BJP delegation, led by national general secretary in charge of Odisha, Arun Singh and party spokesperson Sambit Patra, met the Election Commission (EC) officials, over the upcoming by-polls in Odisha's Bijepur and apprised them of the situation.

Speaking to ANI, Patra said, "Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is using government authorities and large sums of money for their benefits. The EC officials said they will look into the matter".

He added that the party had put forward various issues in the meeting.

"First, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Odisha's Padampur is harassing BJP workers and second, Rs 40 lakh were seized in the Bijepur constituency and without any investigation the police officer sent report to the Superintendent of police (SP) wherein he sent it to the EC and hinted the matter on BJP," Patra asserted.

He further said the BJP has demanded EC for an investigation through the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax (IT) department and has asked to look into the matter.

"Third, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is showing personal anger in this election and he is going to Bargarh. For his helicopter helipad, the construction should be done by his party department instead of the Public Works Department (PWD). There is a rumor that a huge amount of money is being invested in this helicopter from which he will take off. That is why we have requested the EC for the CCTV surveillance of this whole thing. The EC has assured us that it will look into the matter seriously," Patra stated.

Earlier on February 16, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan kicked off his campaign for the Bijepur by-elections in Odisha.

The voting for the by-polls will be held on February 24, while the results will be declared on February 28.

Last month, the BJP announced Ashok Panigrahi as its party candidate for the Bijepur by-poll elections.

The by-elections have been necessitated after the seat fell vacant due to the death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu in April last year.

On the other hand, the ruling BJD has already named Rita Sahu, wife of late Congress MLA, as its candidate for the bye-election. (ANI)