Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) representatives moved the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Monday, charging MP Pratap Sarangi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with breaking the electoral code of conduct. Sarangi, with the assistance of a few contractors, put solar lights in various locations inside Nachinda and Aruhuabrutti 1 grampanchayats under Bhograi block in Balasore district on March 31, even after the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections of 2024 went into effect. The BJD leaders claimed that Sarangi had taken this action to win over the votes in these districts.
They demanded that Sarangi face harsh penalties and said that Sarangi had threatened the villagers with death if they revealed that solar lights had been installed. The BJD members said that certain contractors employed by Sarangi put solar lights in these areas in spite of protests from the nearby locals. Meanwhile, Sasmit Patra’s delegation team insisted that the CEO issue an order for an investigation into the incident.
