The BJD on Saturday again alleged that the BJP is influencing the Election Commission of India (ECI) about announcement of the Bijepur Assembly by-election date.
BJD Vice-President and Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya said the ruling party at the Centre is deliberately trying to delay announcement of the date. It seems they are lagging behind in preparations for the by-poll campaign and are yet to announce their candidate’ name, Acharya said.
In reaction, State Chief Electoral Officer DN Gupta said the Election Commission is considering all issues and a decision would be taken soon. The elections should be held within six months. The State Assembly had informed the commission about the seat falling vacant on August 24. The commission has also to consider the High School Certificate (HSC) examinations in mind.
Earlier, labour and ESI Minister Susant Singh and some other BJD leaders had alleged that the BJP Government at the Centre is pressuring the Election Commission to delay the by-poll date announcement as they fear their party’s chances of winning in Bijepur are slim.
However, former Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik had then said there has been no delay in the poll date announcement.