VK Pandian gets Z-Category security; Odisha BJP complaints to CEO

Bhubaneswar: Odisha unit of BJP today filed complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer against Z scale security cover provided to 5T Chairman VK Pandian.

A delegation of the BJP today met CEO Nikunja Bihari Dhal and lodged five complaints opposing Z category security provided by the Special Branch of Odisha Police for Pandian.

“VK Pandian is mere a member of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Neither he is an MLA or MP candidate nor holds any constitutional position or appointed to any important post in the BJD. The Chief Secretary and Home Secretary provided Z scale security to Pandian on which ground,” questioned Sameer Mohanty, former Odisha BJP President.

The administration is also engaged in making of helipads for Pandian for his election campaign programmes in various places which is a gross violation of the model code of conduct, the party alleged before the CEO.

This apart, the party leveled allegation against Seragarh Police ASI Krushna Chandra Das for showing favour towards BJD in Hinjili, the Assembly Constituency represented by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

As per the complaints, the police official openly threatened public to book them in a false murder case like Pradeep Panigrahi if they vote for other parties instead of the BJD in the election. In this regard, the local sarpanches and zilla parishad members have lodged complaints, however no action has been taken yet against the erring police official.

Worth mentioning that the state government has provided Z scale security to Pandian along with two political leaders — Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP’s National Vice-President Baijayanta Panda and Y scale security to Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, OPCC President Sarat Pattanayak and Kantabanji MLA Santosh Singh Saluja following the State Level Security Committee Review Meeting held on September 18, 2023.