Trouble seems to be mounting for BJP Puri Lok Sabha seat candidate Sambit Patra as a show-cause notice has been served on him for allegedly violating the election model code of conduct during a campaign rally.
The Puri District Magistrate, who is the District Election Officer, has issued the show-cause notice to Patra, saying that “even permission was not granted (to Patra) to hold the rally”.
The notice was issued hours after the Congress and the BJD attacked the BJP leader’s campaign by holding an idol of Lord Jagannath during his rally from Bhubaneswar to Puri. A six-member team of the Congress had petitioned Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar alleging that Patra had violated the model code of conduct.
The BJD has also accused Patra and the BJP of indulging in politics over religion by exploiting the sentiments of people. “When elections approach, they bring up the Ram Mandir issue. They do politics over religion. We won’t allow them to exploit people’s sentiments,” BJD leader Subhas Singh said. Besides, a complaint was also lodged against Patra at the Singhadwar police station here in this regard.
In reply, Patra said: “I was holding a gift (idol of Lord Jagannath) from one of my supporters during the rally.”