BJD alleges presence of Railway officials at BJP meeting, lodges plaint with CEO

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Mar 31, 2024 at 8:54 PM

Bhubaneswar: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Odisha alleging model code of conduct (MCC) violation by three officials of the Indian Railways’ Khurda Division.

A BJD delegation led by MPs Sasmit Patra and Sulata Deo lodged a complaint with the CEO, Odisha.

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In its complaint, the BJD alleged that three officials of the Indian Railways’ Khurda Division were present at a BJP meeting at Badapokharia under Tangi block in Khurda district in violation of the MCC on March 29.

As per the complaint, TTIs Prabhakar Baral and SR Pattnaik and IOW BB Mohanty were present at the BJP meeting, attended by party’s Lok Sabha candidate for Bhubaneswar constituency Aparajita Sarangi.

“The MCC has clearly stated that no government employee can indulge in any political activity or promote a political party during the elections. The presence of three Railway officials at BJP meeting is a clear violation of MCC,” said the BJD in its complaint.

The BJD urged CEO Nikunja Bihari Dhal to initiate stern action against the three Railway officials for MCC violation.