Odisha: BJD, BJP level bribery allegations at each other

BHUBANESWAR: Opposition BJP and the ruling BJD on Thursday lodged complaints against each other with chief electoral officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar. Each accused the other of promising to and distributing cash among voters.


The BJP alleged that health minister and BJD leader Pratap Jena promised cash to voters if they voted for the party candidate, at a public meeting in Salepur on Wednesday. The BJD leaders said BJP was using petrol pumps as 'cash hoarding and distribution' points on the instruction of

petroleum

minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Both parties asked the CEO to take action against their opponents for violation of the model code of conduct.

"The video of Jena promising cash to people who vote for BJD candidate Prasant Behera in Salepur was telecast on a local TV channel. He promised Rs 15 and Rs 35 lakh to the ward and the

gram panchayat

that will cast the most votes for Behera from the MLALAD fund," said BJP state vice-president Samir Mohanty. The BJP also lodged a complaint with Salepur PS under Section 171-C and D of the IPC.

BJD MLA Puspendra Singh Deo said, "It is the job of the opposition to lodge a complaint, and that is what they did."

BJD also said: "In the Bijepur byelection, a huge amount of cash was seized from petrol pumps. Despite our repeated request, no action was taken against the petroleum minister. This time, we request you to ensure video surveillance in petrol pumps and gas agencies." The BJP denied the allegations.