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Bhubaneswar, Oct 31 (IANS) Following tensions over raids on Friday at the rented residence of senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Priti Ranjan Gharai on Khariar Road, the opposition party has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing the state machinery in Odisha to harass its leaders and workers ahead of the bypoll to Nuapada assembly constituency.
Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Friday, senior BJD leader and party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty strongly condemned the alleged misuse of administrative machinery in Nuapada at the behest of the ruling party.
Mohanty said that the by-election in Nuapada is a litmus test to reflect the mood of the people of Odisha.
He further alleged that due to fear of defeat, BJP is adopting unethical tactics and has also brought leaders from Chhattisgarh to mislead the voters.
He alleged that soon after the visit of Odisha Director General of Police to Nuapada, local police officers received unwritten instructions to support the BJP.
Mohanty also claimed that the District Collector and SP of Nuapada started working in a partisan manner, threatening BJD leaders and workers and attempting to influence voters.
The BJD spokesperson cited the recent raid at the rented residence of senior BJD general secretary and former minister Priti Ranjan Gharai to support the party’s allegation that the BJP is misusing the state machinery. He described the raid as illegal and politically motivated.
“The raid was conducted without a search warrant or legal sanction and nothing incriminating was found. The team went back after a peaceful protest by residents and BJD workers. Dr Mohanty called it a politically motivated act aimed at embarrassing and demoralizing BJD leaders and workers,” Mohanty alleged.
He further alleged that around 500 people, allegedly brought by the BJP from Chhattisgarh, have impersonated police personnel to harass voters and BJD supporters in the constituency.
Mohanty questioned how the Odisha government, led by a BJP chief minister who also holds the Home portfolio, could use external forces to intimidate citizens while failing to stop heinous crimes like rape and murder in the state.
He expressed confidence that BJD will win the by-election as the people of Nuapada are well aware of the contribution made by former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik in the development of the area through better schools, health care and infrastructure.
The party has also complained in this regard to the District Collector and SP of Nuapada and to the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha.
–IANS
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