The BJD on Wednesday knocked at the doors of the State Election Commission (SEC) and submitted a memorandum against the BJP accusing the saffron party of being involved in antisocial activities to motivate voters and also distributing money in the panchayat elections.
The memorandum was submitted to State Election Commissioner RN Senapaty.
BJD MlA Priyadarshi Mishra told reporters that antisocial elements with huge amounts of cash from neighbouring BJP-ruled States of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have been entering to Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Subarnapur, Balangir, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh and Keonjhar districts.
“The Election Commission should take note of this seriously and ensure free and fair polls in the border districts of Odisha,” Mishra said after submitting the memorandum.
“Unregistered vehicles from Chhattisgarh loaded with ill-gotten money and other materials are being engaged in supplying the same in villages to influence the voters,” said Mishra.
The party also drew the attention of the commission to what it said that senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is allegedly threatening Government officials engaged in election duties to punish them by setting up of a commission for their alleged irregularities once the elections are over.