BHUBANESWAR: Puri district police on Monday seized Rs 50 lakh in unaccounted cash from two persons in Pipili, where the bypoll would be held on April 17. The BJD alleged the money belonged to the BJP.
Police said the two persons, who belonged to Balanga area under Pipili constituency, were carrying the cash in a bag. “The two were asked to stop for routine check at Pipili toll gate. But they sped away.
Our personnel gave chase and intercepted them near Tarakaja Chowk and seized the cash from their possession. Further legal action is being initiated as per the protocol of the election commission,” Puri superintendent of police Kanwar Vishal Singh said.
The income tax department has been informed to verify the source of the cash. This is the first seizure of unaccounted cash in bypoll-bound Pipili.
A four-member BJD delegation met chief electoral officer (CEO) Sushil Lohani and alleged that the BJP was pumping in unaccounted cash to induce voters. The BJD alleged that the two persons, who were carrying the cash, belonged to the BJP.
“The cash was seized from two BJP workers. Apprehending defeat in the by-election, the BJP is pumping in money to influence voters. People of Pipili are conscious and would give a befitting reply to the BJP in the bypoll,” the BJD memorandum read.
The BJD said the police should intensify patrolling. “We demand that patrolling and surveillance be increased to prevent the BJP from carrying out such illegal activities. We also demand strict investigation to trace the source of illegal funds and bring the guilty to justice,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty told the media.
The BJP never distributes money to buy votes. It is the BJD which does it,” senior BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar said.