BJD distributing cash among voters in BMC poll: Jena

Bs_logoImage
Press Trust of India Bhubaneswar
Last Updated : Jan 08 2014 | 3:10 PM IST
Alleging extensive use of money by ruling BJD in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls being held today, senior Congress leader and Union Minister Srikant Jena said distribution of cash for votes posed a serious threat to democracy.
"The way money is being used to buy votes has posed a serious challenge and threat to the very fabric of democracy," the union minister for chemicals and fertilisers told reporters here.
"While BJD workers openly and blatantly distributed cash among the voters in different wards in the urban body area, the state election commission remained a helpless and mute spectator," he alleged.
Jena said that the use of money power by the ruling BJD has not only brought to the fore the role of black money in the election but also ruined the entire poll process.
The Union Minister's remark came a day after Congress formally lodged a complaint against BJD with the state election commission that it was distributing cash among voters.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 08 2014 | 3:10 PM IST