Ahead of the Pipili by-poll, the BJP on Thursday demanded immediate withdrawal of the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on the ground of ‘conflict of interest’.
In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP alleged that CEO Sushil Kumar Lohani, is also holding charge of the Excise Department Secretary.“As CEO Sushil Kumar Lohani is supposed to work independently and impartially without any influence or favour to any political party, his position as Principal Secretary, that too of a such sensitive department as Excise, brings him in direct conflict with his role as CEO during the ongoing Pipili bypoll,” BJP’s stated to the ECI.
The BJP alleged that the ruling BJD has the track record of using bureaucrats including senior police and administrative service officers for political work. The BJP further feared that liquor would flow into the constituency in the run up to the election if Lohani continued to hold both the offices.