Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Tuesday attacked the BJP and alleged that it had violated the Model Code of Conduct during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bhawanipatna.
A delegation of the BJD Tuesday met the state Chief Election Officer (CEO) and complained about the matter. The BJD also submitted a memorandum to the state poll panel on the issue, and demanded action against the BJP.
The BJD told the CEO that as per election guidelines on the broadcasting of bulk SMS/voice messages during campaigning, the broadcasts should have a pre-certification from concerned authorities. But the party said that during the PM’s visit to Bhawanipatna the norms were violated.
“This is extremely shocking as the BJP used campaign content on phones violating norms. The speech of PM Narendra Modi while campaigning for the BJP in Bhawanipatna was transmitted through bulk voice messaging call in live format,” the BJD memorandum to the state poll panel said.
It added, “Anyone could call a number and could hear the live speech of Modi. It is shocking that the campaign content was transmitted live through phones without taking pre-certification from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee.”
The BJD delegation which comprised leaders like Lenin Mohanty, Sulochana Das and Sasmit Patra asked the CEO to take strong action against the BJP for violating the poll code.
The BJD leaders said, “We demand strong action against the BJP for violating election guidelines and the cost of the transmission through phones must be included in the poll expenditure of the BJP candidates in the Kalahandi Parliamentary seat and Bhawanipatna Assembly seats proportionately, that is, adding 50 per cent of the cost to each candidate.”