The BJP on Wednesday approached the State Election Commission (SEC) alleging that the ruling BJD used a helicopter, meant for Government work, for panchayat poll campaign.
The BJP team alleged that a chopper, which is engaged in Chief Minister’s official duty, was found used by BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty for campaigning on Tuesday.
The saffron party also levelled allegation against four bureaucrats of the ‘Third Floor’ of the Secretariat housing the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) that they were working for the ruling party. The party urged the SEC to exercise its Constitutional power in this regard.
“Four senior bureaucrats of the CMO, Kartikeyan Pandian, PS to CM, Additional PS to CM Pradeepta Mohapatra and Gopabandhu Das and Joint Secretary to CM Suranjan Satparthy, are working for the BJD. They are giving instructions to district Collectors and SPs in connection with the polls,” said party vice-president Sameer Mohanty.
Earlier on Tuesday, the BJP had approached the SEC alleging that the Collectors and SPs of various districts are acting as “general secretaries” of the BJD.
“We have requested the SEC to use its Constitutional power and exercise control over the Government officials who are involved in election management and direct them to act accordingly to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in the State,” said Mohanty.