Bijepur byelection: BJP accuses CMO officials of meddling in poll affairs

Pradhan also demanded that Labour Minister Sushant Singh should be kept out of Bijepur.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Odisha CM's private secretary and officials of CMO of involving in the poll affairs, ahead of Bijepur byelection to be held on Saturday.

At a press meet, senior BJP leader and Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that CM Naveen Patnaik's private secretary VK Pandian has sent 100 government officials to Bijepur, to help the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the election, reported a private television channel.

"We have a specific information that Pandian, the chief political worker of CM Naveen Patnaik had convened a meeting in Bhubaneswar two days ago. After the meeting held in presence of four other bureaucrats Kutte, Pradipta, RupaRoshan Sahoo and Gopabandhu, it was decided to send 100 hundred government officials to Bijepur on special leave. These officials will help the BJD in conducting election here", Pradhan was quoted as saying.

Pradhan also demanded that Labour Minister Sushant Singh should be kept out of Bijepur.

The Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Padampur, Laxmi Narayan Panda, was transferred on Thursday. A delegation led by Dharmendra Pradhan had moved the Election Commission of India seeking Panda's transfer from Padmapur, which is part of the by-poll bound Bijepur Assembly seat.

BJD candidate Rita Sahu, Pranay Sahu of Congress and BJD's Ashok Panigrahi are in the fray for February 24 by-elections. The result of the by-election will be declared on February 28.

(With agency inputs)