Bhubaneswar: With the announcement of elections for Lok Sabha and Assembly, Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force in entire parts of the State. The BJP today moved to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) alleging misuse of government machinery by ruling BJD with a target on government officers.
A delegation of State BJP led by vice-president Lekhashree Samantsinghar submitted a memorandum to the office of the CEO alleging blatant violation of model code of conduct by the ruling BJD in the State for electoral gains. The party sought immediate intervention of the Chief Electoral Officer to stop it.
The Biju Janata Dal, which has been in power for 24 years in Odisha, has been trying to suppress the opposition by misusing government machinery. Due to favoritism by Government officers, the BJD attacks the Opposition, the party alleged
Hitting out at the ruling party, Lekhashree alleged that BJD leaders and workers are indulging in violence and attacking BJP workers in different places. Murderous attack was made on a BJP leader in Keonjhar recently, but the police took no action and allowed the culprits to go scot-free, she claimed.
Moreover, many Government officials have been posted in different places of Cuttack, Bhadrak and Ganjam districts for long years, definitely more than three years, she claimed, demanding immediate steps to transfer these officials.
However, it is very worrisome that no action has been taken even though the BJP has repeatedly complained to the state election officials with facts and evidence about the ruling party’s goondaraj and violation of code of conduct, she alleged.
“Such undemocratic and unconstitutional acts will be repeated if the State election officials do not take immediate action to make general elections free, fair and impartial,” the BJP said.
Even after the implementation of the “Model Code of Conduct”, the state government has arranged foreign trips for leaders of women’s SHG groups, which is a clear violation of the MCC, the party further alleged.
As general elections are coming up, the BJD has done this to lure SHG women and make them work as party workers.
Many officers who have been stationed in Bhadrak, Cuttack and Ganjam for many years or more than 3 years are visible. The government officials should be replaced immediately, the party demanded.
The BJP leaders urged the CEO to take necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections and prevent the ruling BJD from misusing police and administrative machinery.
It seems that the Government Officers have become soft targets of the BJP as Model Code Of Conduct (MCC) is in force. Earlier, Election Commission of India (ECI) had ordered transfer of two SPs and one Collector for free and fair polls.
