BHUBANESWAR: The BJD has sought security cover for its Bhatli MLA and former minister Susanta Singh ahead of the Padampur byelection on December 5, claiming threat to his life from BJP workers.
A BJD delegation submitted a memorandum to chief electoral officer (CEO) Sushil Lohani here on Friday and urged him to direct the police in Bargarh district, under which Padampur falls, to provide security to Singh, who is one of the key leaders looking after the party’s bypoll campaigning.
The BJD drew the attention of Lohani to the alleged brutal attack on Singh’s brother Subrat and three others – Dileswar Sahoo, Kartik Nag and Khageswar Mahalik – by some BJP leaders in the run-up to the Bijepur bypoll in February 2018. Sahoo had succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police had arrested some attackers, including senior BJP leader and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra, for their alleged involvement in the case. Mishra, who currently holds the post of leader of the opposition in the assembly, is out on bail and one of the star campaigners of BJP in Padampur.
“We have received information that the BJP is planning to attack MLA Singh ahead of the Padampur bypoll. We requested the CEO to step up his security. The state BJP unit has a history of fomenting electoral violence. BJP workers attacked our worker Sanju Bariha on Wednesday during campaigning at Bubuda village,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
Bhubaneswar: The BJD has sought security cover for its Bhatli MLA and former minister Susanta Singh ahead of the Padampur byelection on December 5, claiming threat to his life from BJP workers.
A BJD delegation submitted a memorandum to chief electoral officer (CEO) Sushil Lohani here on Friday and urged him to direct the police in Bargarh district, under which Padampur falls, to provide security to Singh, who is one of the key leaders looking after the party’s bypoll campaigning.
The BJD drew the attention of Lohani to the alleged brutal attack on Singh’s brother Subrat and three others – Dileswar Sahoo, Kartik Nag and Khageswar Mahalik – by some BJP leaders in the run-up to the Bijepur bypoll in February 2018. Sahoo had succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police had arrested some attackers, including senior BJP leader and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra, for their alleged involvement in the case. Mishra, who currently holds the post of leader of the opposition in the assembly, is out on bail and one of the star campaigners of BJP in Padampur.
“We have received information that the BJP is planning to attack MLA Singh ahead of the Padampur bypoll. We requested the CEO to step up his security. The state BJP unit has a history of fomenting electoral violence. BJP workers attacked our worker Sanju Bariha on Wednesday during campaigning at Bubuda village,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
BJP terms BJD allegation a farce
Sources in the CEO’s office said the BJD’s memorandum would be sent to Bargarh police for assessment of the threat perception to Singh. Bargarh police said they would provide Singh security if they ascertain threat to his life.
The BJP hit back at the allegations and described BJD’s contention as a farce.
“If any ruling party MLA is feeling threatened, he or she can avail security. BJP never promotes electoral violence. The BJD encourages hooliganism during elections. Fearing defeat, the BJD moved the CEO with false allegations against us,” Mishra said. In a related development, the BJD delegation also urged Lohani to take action against BJP spokesperson Lekhashree Samantasinghar for allegedly trying to hinder the smooth bypoll campaigning and making false allegations against government officials engaged in election duty.
A BJD delegation submitted a memorandum to chief electoral officer (CEO) Sushil Lohani here on Friday and urged him to direct the police in Bargarh district, under which Padampur falls, to provide security to Singh, who is one of the key leaders looking after the party’s bypoll campaigning.
The BJD drew the attention of Lohani to the alleged brutal attack on Singh’s brother Subrat and three others – Dileswar Sahoo, Kartik Nag and Khageswar Mahalik – by some BJP leaders in the run-up to the Bijepur bypoll in February 2018. Sahoo had succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police had arrested some attackers, including senior BJP leader and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra, for their alleged involvement in the case. Mishra, who currently holds the post of leader of the opposition in the assembly, is out on bail and one of the star campaigners of BJP in Padampur.
“We have received information that the BJP is planning to attack MLA Singh ahead of the Padampur bypoll. We requested the CEO to step up his security. The state BJP unit has a history of fomenting electoral violence. BJP workers attacked our worker Sanju Bariha on Wednesday during campaigning at Bubuda village,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
Bhubaneswar: The BJD has sought security cover for its Bhatli MLA and former minister Susanta Singh ahead of the Padampur byelection on December 5, claiming threat to his life from BJP workers.
A BJD delegation submitted a memorandum to chief electoral officer (CEO) Sushil Lohani here on Friday and urged him to direct the police in Bargarh district, under which Padampur falls, to provide security to Singh, who is one of the key leaders looking after the party’s bypoll campaigning.
The BJD drew the attention of Lohani to the alleged brutal attack on Singh’s brother Subrat and three others – Dileswar Sahoo, Kartik Nag and Khageswar Mahalik – by some BJP leaders in the run-up to the Bijepur bypoll in February 2018. Sahoo had succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police had arrested some attackers, including senior BJP leader and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra, for their alleged involvement in the case. Mishra, who currently holds the post of leader of the opposition in the assembly, is out on bail and one of the star campaigners of BJP in Padampur.
“We have received information that the BJP is planning to attack MLA Singh ahead of the Padampur bypoll. We requested the CEO to step up his security. The state BJP unit has a history of fomenting electoral violence. BJP workers attacked our worker Sanju Bariha on Wednesday during campaigning at Bubuda village,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
BJP terms BJD allegation a farce
Sources in the CEO’s office said the BJD’s memorandum would be sent to Bargarh police for assessment of the threat perception to Singh. Bargarh police said they would provide Singh security if they ascertain threat to his life.
The BJP hit back at the allegations and described BJD’s contention as a farce.
“If any ruling party MLA is feeling threatened, he or she can avail security. BJP never promotes electoral violence. The BJD encourages hooliganism during elections. Fearing defeat, the BJD moved the CEO with false allegations against us,” Mishra said. In a related development, the BJD delegation also urged Lohani to take action against BJP spokesperson Lekhashree Samantasinghar for allegedly trying to hinder the smooth bypoll campaigning and making false allegations against government officials engaged in election duty.
