BJP candidate for the Balangir Assembly constituency Basu Pati has lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officer and other concerned officials alleging that Congress candidates contesting from the Balangir Parliamentary and Assembly seats have violated the model code of conduct by alluring voters with cash prizes.
Quoting a news report on a public meeting published in a vernacular daily on March 25, Pati has mentioned in his complaint that the two Congress candidates have promised to pay Rs 50,000 to the booth which would give the highest number of votes and Rs 25,000 to the booth which would give comparative lesser votes to them.
“This is dangerous promise and violates the model code of conduct,” Pati said and demanded that strong action be taken against the concerned candidates soon. When contacted, district Collector M Muthukumar said, “I would go through the video recording of the meeting and take appropriate action.”