BJP voices outrage over election violence handling in Odisha, demands fair treatment

Bhubaneswar, May 27: Expressing apprehension regarding the escalation of violence during elections in Odisha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted on Monday that the conduct of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in handling these incidents seemed significantly biased.

Senior leader and former state BJP president Samir Mohanty, while strongly objecting to the arrest of the party's Khurda MLA candidate Prashant Jagdev in connection with an EVM vandalism case, conveyed concerns about the CEO's responses to various other incidents.

Mohanty cited an incident in Chhendipada during the third phase of elections, questioning the CEO's reaction to poll-related violence there. He highlighted a viral video allegedly showing BJD leader and Chhendipada MLA Susanta Kumar Behera engaged in an assault, yet no punitive measures were reportedly taken against him, with authorities merely issuing a notice to the ruling party figure.

Emphasizing that the BJP had presented substantial evidence against BJD workers and leaders regarding instances of poll violence, Mohanty lamented the lack of action from authorities. Allegations surfaced that BJD's Chhendipada MLA candidate Behera had assaulted a BJP worker at a polling station in Similisahi village during Saturday's voting, but according to Mohanty, no measures were taken against him.