Odisha BJP Leader Prasanta Jagadev Vandalises EVM, Arrested

Odisha Police on Saturday arrested a BJP leader Prasanta Jagadev for allegedly vandalising an electronic voting machine (EVM). According to the reports, the BJP leader is also MLA Khurda area and was not happy with slow voting. According to the reports, Jagadev, along with some of his supporters, trespassed the polling booth at Kuanripatna in Begunua assembly constituency, after which voting got affected.

Following an argument with polling officials, Jagadev allegedly vandalized an EVM and fled the scene. The police pursued and intercepted his vehicle, which also carried BJP's Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha candidate, Aparajita Sarangi.

Jagadev, known for previous unruly conduct, was detained at Begunia police station. Sarangi denied the allegations, claiming the EVM was damaged accidentally. She staged a protest inside the police station, asserting that Jagadev was being framed and demanded a review of the CCTV footage from the polling booth.

Both Khurda and Begunia assembly constituencies fall within the Bhubaneswar parliamentary constituency. Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal announced an investigation and assured appropriate action. Despite the incident, voting continued at the booth with a replaced control unit.

Jagadev, 55, is the current MLA of the Chilka assembly segment. He was elected on a BJD ticket in 2019 but was suspended in September 2021 for allegedly assaulting a BJP worker and subsequently expelled. In March 2022, he allegedly drove his SUV into a crowd of BJP workers in Chilka, injuring 22 people, including seven police officers, leading to his arrest after being assaulted by the crowd.

During his first term as an MLA, Jagadev gained notoriety when a video surfaced of him allegedly attacking BJP activists in Boudh district. In November 2016, he was accused of assaulting a woman tehsildar during a government land encroachment clearance.

Expelled from the BJD, Jagadev joined the BJP in March before the simultaneous polls. His election affidavit lists 11 cases against him, though he has not been convicted in any. The ruling BJD has called for stern action against Jagadev in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer.