The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday, 27 April, wrote a letter to Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar alleging “distribution of cash among voters” by four associates of Baijayant Panda, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Kendrapada, reported ANI.
“This is an extremely serious matter and requires the highest level of urgency and action. With two days remaining for the polling to commence in Kendrapada Lok Sabha constituency, four associates of BJP MP candidate for Kendrapada, Baijayant Panda, have been found distributing cash to the voters in Kendrapada and desecrating the electoral sanctity of the election.”The letter
The BJD has asked the state CEO and Election Commission to take "strict and immediate" action like placing the four associates and their mobile phones under surveillance. The party also demanded that they be removed from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat.
The party said in the letter, "We demand that strict and immediate steps are taken in this regard or BJP MP candidate for Kendrapada Baijayant Panda would use these associates to distribute cash and influence voters in the Kendrapada Lok Sabha constituency,"
Polling in six parliamentary constituencies, including Kendrapara and 42 Assembly seats will be held on 29 April.
(With inputs from ANI)
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