The BJD on Tuesday in a memorandum to the State Election Commissioner (SEC) alleged that as the campaigning for the panchayat polls first phase ended on Monday, the BJP has unleashed a reign of terror on former’s candidates and supporters across the State.
Foreseeing defeat, the BJP is resorting to violence, thereby violating the model code of conduct, the BJD said.
On February 14, BJD Pipili Zilla Parishad candidate Dharnadhar Sahoo was attacked by BJP members at Tezpur. A journalist was also attacked. On February 13, BJD-supported Saradhapur GP Sarpanch candidate CH Prasad Rao was brutally thrashed at Gosani block in Gajapati district, the BJD alleged. In Bhadrak, Dhenkanal and Baleswar, police and enforcement officials are threatened by BJP leaders and supporters.
The BJD demanded that the BJP leaders and workers involved in the violence be immediately arrested.