Bhubaneswar: There is no place for poll violence in the ideology of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), said the party’s national spokesperson and MP Sasmit Patra on Thursday in reaction to a press meet of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state president Samir Mohanty.
Patra said that BJD believes in non-violence, peace, friendship, and harmony and is known for it in the entire country. There is no place for poll violence in its ideology. There should be a safe and unbiased election and this is also what the people of Odisha want. Odisha is a peace-loving State, so are its citizens, the party, and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
But the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) differs. The party turns violent during elections. They have known that they are moving towards defeat therefore they are raising the poll-violence issue in an attempt to save their face.
No one had questioned the BJP on the poll-violence issue but the party itself came forward to give a clarification that they are not responsible for it. “A guilty conscience needs no accuser,” he added.
Earlier today, Mohanty had alleged the involvement of BJD leaders in the poll violence reported across Odisha during the first phase of the panchayat elections.
Condemning the attack on journalists in Kanas block of Puri district, Mohanty questioned the safety of people. He also accused some BJD leaders are bribing voters.
Mohanty also appealed that the state administration should provide security to people at booth-level and the State Election Commission (SEC) should ensure that the polling in the upcoming phases will be held peacefully.
He requested the Chief Minister to ensure a free and fair election for the people of Odisha.
