The Election Commission of India (ECI) has served a notice to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking explanation on the alleged irregularities in his 2014 poll expenditure.
As per reports, the poll expenditure mentioned in affidavit of Patnaik is not matching with the affidavit submitted to the ECI by the State’s ruling BJD.
Earlier, an allegation was levelled against Patnaik, who is also the BJD president, for filing a false affidavit in the 2014 election. Based on the complaint filed by RTI activist Subash Mohaptara and BJP candidate Debananda Mohapatra, who had lost the Assembly poll from Hinjili to Patnaik, over irregularities in poll expenses, the Supreme Court had directed the ECI to look into the matter.
On the other hand, the BJD refuted such allegation against Patnaik.
BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said the ECI’s notice is yet to be issued to Patnaik. An appropriate reply would be made after getting the notice, he added.
Notably, activist Mohapatra had filed a petition in the Orissa High Court in July this year alleging irregularities in Patnaik’s poll expenses. He sought disqualification of the CM as an MlA for submitting the alleged fake statement of expenses to the ECI. Seeking transfer of the case to the Delhi High Court, he moved the apex court that rejected his plea.
The Orissa High Court in July had asked the ECI on a writ petition for completion of the probe against Patnaik.