BJD Accuses BJP of Intimidating Officials Using Election Commission's Authority

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has formally charged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with exploiting the authority of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intimidate government officials in Odisha. The accusation comes in the wake of the ECI's recent administrative reshuffle involving six IPS and two IAS officers.

BJD's Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra, in a communication to the Chief Election Commissioner, alleged that BJP representatives are warning officials that non-compliance with BJP's interests could lead to their transfer, citing the ECI's recent actions as a precedent. Patra condemned these actions as a severe breach of the Model Code of Conduct and an attempt to undermine the electoral process.

Patra's letter expressed concern that such behavior compromises the integrity of India's democratic systems and violates the constitutional principles underpinning free and fair elections. He suggested that this pattern of behavior by the BJP is detrimental to the democratic process and tarnishes the ECI's reputation.

In response, Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal dismissed the allegations as baseless, challenging the BJD to substantiate their claims with evidence to the ECI rather than resorting to media sensationalism.