BJP alleges CEO office-BJD nexus

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury
Bhubaneswar, April 21:

Expressing dissatisfaction over the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEC) failure to take action against the ruling BJD despite several petitions and complaints, the BJP today alleged that an unholy nexus existed between the ruling party and office of the CEO as well as key government officials in the state.

“Even though we have urged the CEO to take action over the disturbances in various Assembly constituencies across the state during the elections, no action was ever taken. It proves that the government officials and BJD leaders have collaborated to ensure the victory of the ruling party once again in the face of a strong anti-incumbency wave against the BJD rule,” said senior BJP leader Samir Mohanty at a press conference here.

Referring to the Mahakalpada incident, he said while the district Collector has recommended action against the BDO for keeping EVMs at his residence, the CEO is keeping silent over the matter and not taking action against the BDO.
He alleged that the government is instead bent upon targeting people, who exposed the EVM tampering bid in Mahakalpada, by registering an FIR against them.

“These officials lured by prospects of rewards and promotion are bending backwards to help BJD carry out illegal activities, which is against their service rules, model code of conduct as well as the democratic system. The officials should get stringent punishment for their misdeeds,” said Mohanty.