The BJP on Thursday filed a complaint against Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena alleging violation of the election model code of conduct by him and demanded stringent action against him. Addressing a meeting of party workers in Salepur on Wednesday, Jena had allegedly said that the BJD would give Rs 35 lakh to the panchayat and Rs 15 lakh to the booth which casts maximum votes in favour of local BJD candidate Prasant Behera.
Such announcement by Jena when the model code of conduct is in force is highly unfortunate, said BJP Cuttack district president Hemant Sahu. “We have lodged a complaint with the Salepur police demanding Jena’s arrest,” added Sahu. Later, a BJP delegation led by party State vice–president Samir Mohanty met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and lodged a complaint against the Minister. “We appraised the CEO about the matter and demanded his (the Minister’s) prosecution under the Sections 171 B, 171 C of IPC and ban him from contesting the 2019 elections,” said Mohanty.