The ongoing tussle between the BJD and the BJP over issues relating to the Bijepur by-polls has proved costly for the administrative and police officers.
The situation has become such that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has swung into action. All brawls are happening as both of the parties are eyeing to grab the Bijpur Assembly seat in the February 24 by-poll.
It seems that the BJP has targeted senior officials as they have made allegations against them at the Election Commission of India.
The fresh victims are Bargarh district Collector Khagendra Kumar Padhi and Bargarh SP Jugal Kishore Kumar Banoth.
The BJP has accused the two of supporting the ruling BJD alleging that it engineered an attack on the house of a BJP leader in Bargarh.
In a bid to ensure a ‘free and fair’ by-poll in Bijepur, the ECI has reportedly asked the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to send a list of IAS and IPS officers for replacement of the district Collector and the SP, sources said. Accordingly, the CEO requested the State Government to send a list to the ECI.
Sources said the Home Department has sent names of three IPS officers, Jai Narayan Pankaj, K Siva Subramani and Pinak Mishra and General Administration Department is preparing a list of IAS officers for replacement of the incumbent Collector.
Earlier on 30 January, the BJP had approached the ECI alleging that the Bargarh Collector, SP and some State Government employees are working as the agents of BJD and sought their transfer ahead of Bijepur by-poll.
Besides, the saffron party has also targeted three IICs in Bijepur. The DGP may be asked to shift these police officers soon.