BJP forms committee to probe role of admin in Kandhamal bypoll

Alleging misuse of government machinery and money by ruling BJD in Odisha to win Kandhamal Lok Sabha by-poll, BJP has constituted a 6-member committee to inquire into the role of state administration, Asha and Anganawadi workers in it.
"The committee will probe the manner in which self help groups (SHG), Child Development Project Officers (CDPO), workers of Anganwadi and Asha and others in administration were engaged by BJD to influence voters in Kandhamal," a BJP release said today.
After a thorough inquiry by the committee, headed by senior leader Samir Mohanty, the state BJP would submit the report to the prime minister, it said.

The decision to constitute the committee was taken at the office bearers' meeting here yesterday where party's National Secretary and Odisha in-charge Arun Singh was present.
Singh has alleged rigging, misuse of government machinery and pumping of money by BJD for Kandhamal by-poll and sought a thorough probe into the matter by the Election Commission.
He alleged that CDPOs were asking SHGs to back BJD by threatening that their grant would be withheld if votes were not mobilised for the ruling party.

BJD leaders, including party spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb, denied the allegations as false and baseless.
BJP has also decided to launch an ambitious membership drive with an aim to induct 40 lakh members in the party from November 1.

The party has decided to form committees in each booth of for the drive, the release added.