BJD accuses private news channel of airing ‘paid news’

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bhubaneswar, April 18: The Biju Janata Dal on Thursday demanded action against the Bhartiya Janata Party yet again alleging the model code of conduct violation by the saffron party during ongoing elections.

A BJD delegation leveled a fresh allegation against a private news channel for airing paid news and the Odisha wing of BJP for circulating promissory forms and resorting to surrogate advertising.

“OTV is a repeat offender for airing paid news for the BJP and colouring its discussions to suit BJP. On the day of phase II of elections today, discussions aired on the channel, since this morning are titled ‘Parivartan’ which is the buzzword of the party,” said the BJD delegation in a letter to Chief Electoral Officer.

Similarly, the delegation also complained about the BJP violating EC guidelines by circulating promissory forms called ‘Pratisruti Patra’ in slum areas of Sambalpur that not only assures voters of providing land pattas and pucca houses after elections, but also procures personal details of voters.

The delegation comprised of BJD spokespersons Sulata Deo, Lenin Mohanty and Sasmit Patra which submitted video clips of discussions telecast on the television channel and copy of the said forms to substantiate their claim.

The ruling party also sought action against the BJP for displaying hoardings that include surrogate advertising billboards featuring schemes of BJP-led Centre in places like the airport during the arrival of national BJP leaders.