May 22nd 2024.
The ruling Biju Janata Dal of Odisha has recently raised a complaint against the BJP's Puri Parliamentary Constituency candidate, Sambit Patra. According to the BJD, Patra used a photo of the famous Sri Jagannath Temple in an advertisement that he released in the local media. The BJD took this matter to the Election Commission, addressing their concerns and demanding action be taken against Patra.
In a petition to the chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the BJD highlighted the advertisement in question, which featured Patra's image with the Sri Jagannath Temple in the background. The advertisement also displayed the BJP's symbol, the lotus. The BJD further pointed out that on Monday, Patra made a comment that was deemed offensive by many. He stated that "Lord Jagannath is the devotee of Modi," which greatly hurt the sentiments of millions of Odias worldwide. Although Patra later apologized for his comment, the BJD argued that the advertisement itself was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates.
The BJD firmly stated their objection to the advertisement, stating that it was a clear violation of the poll code. They demanded that immediate action be taken against Patra and that a formal notice be issued and made public. The party also raised a valid point that since Patra's image appeared in the advertisement, the expenses should be accounted for under his personal campaign expenses and not the party's. The BJD estimated the total cost of the advertisement to be around Rs 2.5 crore. They also brought to light the fact that expenses for the Prime Minister's roadshow in support of Patra were not included in his campaign expenses account. The BJD urged the Election Commission to ensure that all related expenses be accurately recorded in Patra's expense account.
Neither the BJP nor Patra were available for comment on the matter. This issue has sparked a debate among the public, with many questioning the ethical and legal implications of the advertisement. The BJD's actions have caused quite a stir in the political circles, with people eagerly waiting for the Election Commission's response to the matter.
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