In a bid to ensure an impartial by-poll in Bijepur, the State’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), acting on an order of the Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi, has asked the Home Department to transfer Bargarh District Superintendent of Police (SP) Jugalkishor Kumar Banoth.
CEO Surendra Kumar has asked the Home Department to recommend names of three IPS officers for appointment of a new SP of the district. Meanwhile, the Home Department has directed DGP RP Sharma to recommend names of three officers.
Earlier on January 30, the BJP had approached the Election Commission of India alleging that the Bargarh district Collector, SP and other State Government employees are working as the agents of the ruling BJD and sought their transfer ahead of the by-poll on February 24.
The BJP, welcoming the CEO’s decision, alleged that the BJD is misusing the police and the district administration. The BJD is using the Government machinery for party works. The BJP as a responsible political party took the matter seriously and a party delegation led by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had met the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in New Delhi and appraised him about it. The CEC, after reviewing the case, ordered the State CEO for transfer of the district SP, said BJP general secretary Bhrugu Buxipatra.
However, BJD vice-president Prasanna Acharya said the BJD doesn’t believe in misusing the official machinery as the party has the people’s support and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s popularity as its big assets.