C'garh guv flouted poll code, aided BJP-nominee son: BJD

Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Sunday moved the Election Commission accusing Chhattisgarh governor Biswabhusan Harichandan of violating the model code of conduct by seeking support for his son Prithiviraj, the BJP candidate for Chilika assembly constituency.

In a memorandum to the chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, BJD stated that the Chhattisgarh governor, a native of Odisha, who was on a visit to the state between April 30 and May 4, allegedly made phone calls to some influential persons in Chilika assembly constituency requesting them to support his son in the upcoming election.

The BJD said the governor had a scheduled programme during his visit but his primary objective was to garner electoral support for his son.

BJD termed the act as a violation of the poll code and demanded an inquiry into the matter and restriction on the visit of the Chhattisgarh governor to Odisha till the completion of the electoral process.

“During his stay, he would routinely call up opinion leaders, political leaders and important persons of Chilika assembly constituency over telephone and request them to support his son Prithiviraj Harichandan’s candidature in this election from Chilika assembly constituency,” the BJD memorandum read.

BJD further alleged that Biswabhusan had invited several eminent intellectuals and opinion makers of Chilika to his residence from time to time during his stay and held consultations with them, with a view to garner electoral support for his son. The BJD said such an act of the governor doesn’t suit the high constitutional position he holds.

In response to the charges, the BJP said that BJD is coming up with false allegations as they have realised they are losing this election. “The BJD brass has seen the overwhelming support the people of Odisha are bestowing upon the BJP. They have now realised they will be defeated in the elections for which they are coming up with such vague allegations,” Prithiviraj said.

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