Bhubaneswar: A delegation from the ruling BJD expressed their concerns to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha on Thursday, urging decisive action against BJP MLA candidate Prashant Jagdev for his repeated involvement in violent criminal activities in public. The delegation, led by Sulata Deo, Ipsita Sahoo, Mihir Ray, Priyabrata Majhi, and others, met with the CEO and submitted a memorandum outlining Jagdev’s alleged offenses.
The BJD accused Jagdev of threatening members of the Kandanayagarh Sanskrutika Surakhya Mancha near Tangi College on April 17th and attempting to forcibly join their rally with his supporters. They drew attention to Jagdev’s history of criminal activities and violent incidents in Khorda district, urging swift action to address the alarming situation that threatens the democratic fabric of society.
Highlighting Jagdev’s recent release on bail following an incident involving his personal vehicle running over people, the BJD expressed deep concern over his continued engagement in criminal behavior. They cited recent assaults on a journalist at Chanagiri Tangi and Chandapur Tangi as evidence of a dangerous pattern of behavior.
The most recent incident occurred during a rally organized by the Kandanayagarh Sanskrutika Surakhya Mancha near Tangi College, where Jagdev and his supporters attempted to forcefully attend, resorting to threats and physical altercations when faced with opposition. The BJD emphasized that such aggressive actions have no place in democracy and must be met with legal consequences.
Warning that Jagdev’s unchecked political activities could further disrupt law and order in Khorda district, the BJD stressed the importance of holding him accountable for his actions to uphold democratic principles and restore public trust in the electoral process. They urged the CEO to take strict action against Jagdev to ensure accountability.
