May 5th 2024.
The BJD party in Bhubaneswar has accused Chhattisgarh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan of violating the model code of conduct. They have urged the Election Commission to restrict his visit to Odisha until the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls are completed in the state. According to the Naveen Patnaik-led party, Harichandan, who is originally from Odisha, has violated the MCC by personally and through phone calls, influencing voters to support his son Prithiviraj, who is contesting from the Chilika Assembly seat on a BJP ticket.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra stated that they have sent a complaint petition to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and have also submitted a copy to the chief electoral officer of Odisha. Patra further alleged that during his stay in Bhubaneswar from April 30 to May 4, the Chhattisgarh governor was indirectly campaigning for his son. He allegedly contacted political leaders and important individuals in the Chilika Assembly constituency, urging them to support his son in the elections. Additionally, the BJD claimed that Harichandan had invited intellectuals and opinion makers from the Chilika area to his residence to consult with them in order to gain electoral support for his son.
In their petition to the CEC, the BJD party emphasized that the governor's actions are a clear violation of the model code of conduct and do not align with the high constitutional position he holds. They have requested for an inquiry to be conducted into these alleged violations and for the governor to be cautioned from visiting Odisha until the elections are completed, especially since his son is contesting as a BJP candidate from Chilika.
Responding to these accusations, Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that the BJD is making these claims because they are aware of their declining popularity and expect to face defeat in the elections. He added that as his father is the governor of a state, it is natural for various people, including political leaders and eminent personalities, to meet him. He questioned whether this should be stopped just because of the election. Prithiviraj clarified that his father did not attend any political meeting or event during his recent visit to Odisha.
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