District Collectors in Odisha are being asked to accumulate funds for BJD: Congress

Bhubaneswar: Launching a scathing attack on BJD in Odisha ahead of the General Elections 2024, senior Congress leader Bijay Patnaik today alleged in a presser that District Collectors in the State are being asked to accumulate funds for the ruling party.

“BDOs, tehsildars, and police officers are being utilised and several government officials are dissatisfied with it. Because they are not workers of the ruling party. Rather, they were previously recruited among hundreds of candidates through tough tests. They all have a sense of self-respect and dignity. Even, Collectors are being asked to accumulate funds for the party (BJD),” the Congress leader said.

“Police officers are being asked to take action against those who are going against the party. They are also being asked to put journalists behind bars. Similarly, the Central government has been using its agencies like the ED and CBI to settle a score. Government machinery is being openly utilised by both BJD and BJP for political purposes,” the senior leader alleged.

“This is unhealthy for democracy and could pose a serious threat to its existence in the future. Besides, some influential officials are working as party workers. We have prepared a comprehensive list of them with details of their activities, which we will present before the ECI,” the Congress leader warned.