New Delhi: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday submitted a memorandum to Election Commission of India seeking action against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for ‘violation of model code of conduct (MCC)’ citing 14 such incidents.
In a seven-page memorandum submitted to the election commission here, the BJD stated that the BJP leaders, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have been using violence, abusive behaviour and threatening languages towards the people and government officials on election duty. The regional party cited 14 incidents of violence of model code of conduct by the BJP in the memorandum submitted to the election commission.
“They are doing it with a sole objective of sabotaging the electoral process and using violence as a means to achieve electoral gains. This is threat to electoral process and the democratic fabric of India,” BJD submitted to election commission.
The party has named Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan for allegedly hampering the electoral process during several occasions.
The Union Minister, BJD alleged, threatened police officials for shooting the video of his chopper and also the flying squad team formed by district election officer in Sambalpur for checking the helicopter and sealed bags of the Minister.
The BJD also complained against BJP leader Pitambar Acharya who has been contesting against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik from Hinjili Assembly constituency. The party said that he has obstructed the surveillance team and flying squad from performing their duties.
Beside, the party also mentioned several incidents of attacks on BJD leaders and villagers in the run-up to the Assembly and Parliamentary elections in the state.
The BJD also stated in the memorandum that they had, earlier, lodged complaint with state electorate officer (SEO) but he did not take any cognizance.
BJD national spokesperson Giridhar Mohanty said the Election Commission of India has received the memorandum and they would study it and take steps accordingly.