Odisha: BJD accuses private news channel of airing ‘paid news’

Bhubaneswar: In a series of complaints against the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state, Biju Janata Dal has yet again cried foul for breach of model code of conduct by the saffron party during ongoing elections.

A delegation of BJD has levied fresh allegations against a private news channel for airing paid news and the Odisha wing of BJP for circulating promissory forms and resorting to surrogate advertising.

“OTV is a repeat offender for airing paid news for the BJP and colouring its discussions to suit BJP. On the day of phase II of elections today, discussions aired on the channel, since this morning are titled ‘Parivartan’ which is the buzzword of the party,” said the BJD delegation in a letter to Chief Electoral Officer.

Also read: BJD petitions CEO over violation of model code of conduct by BJP

Similarly, the delegation also complained about the BJD violating EC guidelines by circulating promissory forms called ‘Pratisruti Patra’ in slum areas of Sambalpur that not only assures voters of providing land pattas and pucca houses after elections, but also procures personal details of voters.

The team, comprising of BJD spokespersons Sulata Deo, Lenin Mohanty and Sasmit Patra submitted video clips of discussions telecast on the television channel and copy of the said forms to substantiate their claim.

Read more: Poll code violation against BJP, OTV

Furthermore, BJD yet again, sought action against the lotus party for displaying hoardings that include surrogate advertising billboards featuring schemes of BJP-led Centre in places like the airport during the arrival of national BJP leaders.

The conch party has urged the CEO to take immediate and exemplary action against BJP for violating the model code of conduct, yet again.