Indus Valley Times

By Addanki iswar R.

Malkangiri,3rd April,2024:- Sri. Sarat Chandra Buruda , a Congress aspiring candidate for the Chitrakonda Assembly Constituency (147), has raised serious allegations of corruption and unfair practices in the candidate selection process. Buruda claims that the selection process lacked transparency and integrity, with key stakeholders like Block Presidents, PCC members, and Nagar presidents not being consulted.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, Buruda revealed disturbing details of his encounter with the staff members of Mr. Ajoy Kumar, the In-charge of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, and PRAGAMAN team members. According to Buruda, on February 28th, he was approached and asked to pay a staggering sum of 40 lakhs in exchange for a recommendation to higher levels, effectively guaranteeing him a ticket for the upcoming election.

Further, Buruda alleges that on the same day, he was pressured to send ₹8000 for a dinner supposedly attended by the mentioned staff members. The money was transferred to a UPI QR code provided through Whatsapp under the name Chittaranjan Rautra.

Expressing his frustration and concern over the lack of transparency in the selection process, Buruda urged the Congress leadership to evaluate candidates based on their performance on the PRAGAMAN app and their media presence, including social media activity. He emphasized the need for immediate action to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.

These allegations have sparked outrage among the electorate, with many questioning the integrity of the candidate selection process and demanding accountability from party leadership. The allegations come at a critical time as political parties gear up for the upcoming general elections, raising concerns about the fairness and credibility of the selection process .