Dhamnagar by-poll: BJP, BJD accuse each other of violating model code
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD and Opposition BJP on Tuesday lodged complaints and accused each other of violating the model code of conduct in Dhamnagar Assembly seat where by-poll is scheduled to take place on November 3.
A BJP delegation, led by the party’s State president Samir Mohanty, was the first to rush to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here and lodge a formal complaint against the BJD.
The BJD leaders followed and lodged a similar complaint against the BJP.
“The BJD leaders are distributing money to voters under the guise of meeting of self-help groups (SHGs) as part of the party’s strategy to woo the voters. We have drawn the attention of the CEO again in this regard,” Mohanty told reporters. “The CEO of Odisha must take action in this regard,” he said.
The ruling BJD also rushed to the CEO’s office. They met CEO S K Lohani and submitted a memorandum alleging that the BJP leaders, campaigning in the constituency, are resorting to “unfair methods to influence voters”. The BJD alleged that the BJP leaders are clandestinely meeting voters and trying to influence them with cash and other means. The BJD memorandum said that BJP had also used the same strategy during the previous panchayat, urban and by-polls.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 security personnel, including four companies of the Central Armed Police Force and 20 platoons of Odisha State Armed Police and Auxiliary Police Force, 46 mobile patrolling parties, three flying squads along with district police officers will be deployed for the smooth conduct of the by-poll on November 3, officials said.
Each company comprises 100 CAPF personnel and each platoon of Odisha police has 30 personnel. Required security arrangements have been made in the strong room with CCTV coverage to ensure round-the-clock safety of EVMs, the officials added.
Director General of Police S K Bansal held a high-level review meeting of police officers during the day. The police have seized 1,035 litres of liquor, registered 83 excise cases and executed 164 pending warrants so far during the by-election process, a police official said.
#dns
