Berhampur, Mar 29: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi on Friday alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is using the Police and government machinery to influence the voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha.

Panigrahi, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Berhampur constituency, alleged that the former IG of Police (Southern Range) is threatening several leaders, workers and contractors not to quit the BJD.

#WATCH: BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Berhampur constituency #PradeepPanigrahi says, "The then IG (Southern Range) is threatening leaders, workers & contractors not to quit BJD. I urge the Election Commission to look into the matter."#OdishaElections2024 #LokSabhaElections… pic.twitter.com/H9u3IqyHEA
— Argus News (@ArgusNews_in) March 29, 2024

"Just before elections, several administrative officers are roped in Ganjam. They have been asked to work like BJD workers and influence people to vote in favour of BJD candidates. This is nothing new. The BJD has been doing such trick in the last 24 years to garner the votes in every election," Panigrahi said.

The BJP leader also urged the Election Commission to look into the matter and take action against the accused officials.

"I urge the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha and the Election Commission of India to investigate into the alleged matter and take appropriate action for the free, fair and transparent general elections in Odisha," Panigrahi said.

Odisha will vote in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls, which are being held simultaneously, in four phases. The polling will be held on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.

The votes will be counted with the rest of the country on June 4.

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