BJP lodges complaint against four officers

The BJP today lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha against four senior officers, including three in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) accusing them of violating the election code of conduct.
A BJP delegation led by state unit vice-president Samir Mohanty met CEO Surendra Kumar here and alleged that the four officers were working for the ruling party in violation of the model code of conduct in force for the by-poll at Bijepur assembly seat which will be held on February 24.
The BJP urged the CEO to ask the four officers to go on leave till completion of the Bijepur bypoll as they were allegedly misusing their official posts in furthering the interests of the ruling BJD.

"We have drawn attention of the CEO to the activities of the four officers who work for the Biju Janata Dal thereby violating the model code of conduct. Hence, action should be taken against them. They should be asked to go on leave to conduct a free and fair by-elections. We have submitted a memorandum to CEO in this regard," Mohanty said.
The four officers are - V K Pandian, private secretary to the chief minister, Sujata Karthikeyan, commissioner cum director, Mission Shakti of WCD department, D S Kutey, officer on special duty to the chief minister and Gopabandhu Das, joint secretary to the chief minister.

The four officers were, however, not immediately available for comment.

The state government, as per the instruction of the Election Commission yesterday removed the collector and SP of Bargarh district. Bijepur assembly segment is in Bargarh district.
Earlier in the day, some miscreants vandalised the official residence of V K Pandian and hurled cow dung at his main gate. They also broke flower pots, damaged few vehicles parked on the premises and pelted stones.
The police arrested four persons, on charge of attacking on the residence of Pandian.