Patnaik issues whip to BJD ZP members ahead of chairman poll in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 10:

BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik today issued whip to the elected Zilla Parishad members of the party ahead of Zilla Parishad chairman poll scheduled on March 12.

The whip was issued through the BJD district presidents to the elected Zilla Parishad members. Action will be taken against the BJD ZP members under section 33 of Odisha Zilla Parishad Act – 1991 for violating the whip.

On the other hand, Naveen-led government drew sharp criticism from opposition BJP for amending section 51 of Odisha Zilla Parishad Election Rules-1994. As per the amendment, an agent from each political party will be present during Zilla Parishad chairman poll. These agents will be appointed by the political parties. Zilla Parishad members will be required to show the ballot to the agent of their party.

However, Odisha BJP criticised the amendment terming it as ‘conspiracy’ by the ruling party.