Campaigning in Bijepur ends on acrimonious note as parties trade charges against each other
By A K Sahoo
Bijepur/ Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22: Curtains were down on Thursday on the high-voltage campaigning for the Bijepur bypoll with the ruling BJD and BJP trading acrimonious charges against each other.
BJD vice president Prasanna Acharya, in a press conference at Bargarh, – accused Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan of terrorising the BJD workers to remain silent or face the consequence. He also pointed fingers at Mr Pradhan saying the latter was forcing the Election Commission of India (ECI) through repeated petitions to transfer government officers who don’t refuse to work follow the BJP’s diktats to support its candidate Ashok Panigrahi.
The Union minister Mr Pradhan, on the other hand, – said the BJD led by state labour minister Sushant Singh had unleashed a reign of terror in the constituency.
“It’s not unknown to anyone that minister Sushanta Bhoi has got close links with dreaded criminals of the area. These criminals are now moving freely in the constituency threatening the BJP workers engaged in campaigning,” the Union minister said.
He urged the Election Commission of India to ask the minister Sushant Singh to immediately leave Bijepur to ensure free and fair elections.
At the state BJP headquarters in Bhubaneswar, the BJP vice president Samir Mohanty and other office-bearers held a press conference in the evening where they showed photographs of BJP leaders, including Prasanna Acharya, with chit fund accused and persons “dubious characters.”
Meanwhile, Padampur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Laxmi Narayan Panda was transferred as per the directive of the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), informed Director General of Police (DGP) RP Sharma today.
“Panda has been attached to the office of IG, Northern Range, Sambalpur. His place of posting will be decided by the Police Establishment Board,” said the DGP Mr Panda.
The BJP had petitioned the CEO against the SDPO alleging that the officer was working as a “BJD agent.”
Bijepur seat is lying vacant following death of incumbent MLA Subal Sahu on October 22, 2017. Bypoll for the seat will be held on Saturday.
