The Congress on Tuesday knocked at the doors of the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) against the BJP’s Puri Lok Sabha seat candidate Sambit Patra alleging violation of the election model code of conduct by him.
A six-member Congress team petitioned the CEO that the BJP national spokesperson used Lord Jagannath’s idol during a campaign rally from Bhubaneswar to Puri in violation of the code.
“When it has been mentioned by the Election Commission of India (ECI) that no election can be fought on basis of any religion, caste, creed or culture, the election rally of Sambit Patra and the photographs thereof clearly show the violation of model code of conduct,” the Congress said. Notably, Patra was seen holding a Jagannath idol during his rally from Bhubaneswar via Uttara, Pipili and Sakhigopal en route to Puri on Monday. “An admirer gifted me the idol. As an Odia and a devotee of Lord Jagannath, I can never refuse it. I will embrace it and worship it. What’s wrong in that?” Patra questioned.
The Congress, however, criticised the BJP for exploiting religious sentiment. “They play with the religious sentiments of people during elections. We won’t tolerate it and allow this to happen,” said PCC vice-president Aryakumar Jnanendra.
The BJD too spoke on similar lines. “When elections approach, they (the BJP) bring up Ram Mandir issue. They do politics over religion. We won’t allow them to exploit people’s sentiments,” BJD leader Subhas Singh said.