BJD questions poll schedule in Odisha, accuses BJP of influencing EC

Chief Minister Navin Patnaik-led BJD on Monday alleged that the BJP forced Election Commission to conduct polls in Odisha in four phases.

Party's IT cell chairman Amar Patnaik told ANI, "We have a view that when in 2009 and 2014 Odisha was struggling with the problem of extremism there could have been a reason for having polls two phases, but now when that problem is minimal they are having it in four phases. There is no point of having four phases and five phases."

He also accused the election commission of bias. He added, "The Election commission is probably not acting independently and impartially. The chief electoral officer in Odisha has probably not been taken into account while proposing four-phase election and so we are of the opinion that this decision has been influenced by the BJP"

Attacking the BJP Patnaik said, "This also shows that BJP is probably the weakest party here and in West Bengal. In order to consolidate their position, they are trying these tactics, but I am certain that it is not going to be easy for them here despite all this. We will win the polls with huge numbers."

The Election Commission of India on March 10 announced the full schedule of phase-wise and constituency-wise voting for 21 seats of Odisha in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls that begin on April 11.