BJD files complaint against BJP for using voice calls for campaigning a day before polls

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Bhubaneshwar, against the Bharatiya Janata Party for allegedly making use of voice calls for campaigning and violating the Model Code of Conduct.

"This is an extremely condemnable action by BJP of sending voice calls for election campaigning despite ban/silence being in force. We demand immediate stoppage of the voice calls being made in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and Election Commission guidelines," the BJP stated in its letter to the CEO.

The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led party also demanded "strict action" against BJP and "the service provider circulating these violative voice calls". 

Previously, Naveen Patnaik had expressed his willingness over stitching a post-poll alliance with any political party that is ready to support the demands and is willing to work towards the welfare and development of the state.

While responding to a question asked by a news agency over the possibility of extending support to the BJP in case they fall short of the requisite majority to form the government, he had said, "Any party or coalition that supports the development and just claims of Odisha will have our support."

READ | Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Expresses Willingness To Stitch A Post-poll Alliance With Any Political Party Ready To Commit In The State's Development

Patnaik had reiterated that the key focus would be whether the said party would back the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people when he was asked whether the ideology of the party seeking support from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) would be a deciding factor on a post-poll tie-up.

"Ideology of all parties is democratic but I do want them to support Odisha's claims," he had said.

On being asked the CM on BJP’s views on national security, external security, secularism, and whether the espousing Hindutva matter would crop up at the time of post-poll alliance talks, he had responded saying, “Let's see what the results are, let's see which parties get what numbers.”

In the ongoing polls, Naveen Patnaik will contest from two seats in the state, namely Hinjili and Bijepur.

In the 2014 elections, Patnaik's BJD had won 117 out of the 147 assembly seats in the state, while the BJP and Congress settled for 10 and 16 seats, respectively.

Odisha, where 21 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, will go to polls for its 6 seats in the fourth phase of elections on April 29.