BJD Alleges Widespread Manipulation in Odisha's Nuapada Bypoll, Seeks EC Intervention

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The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has accused the ruling party of large-scale 'state-sponsored manipulation' in the recent Nuapada bypoll. The BJD's decision to take the matter to the Election Commission (EC) was made at a meeting of the party's political affairs committee, led by Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik. According to opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik, votes cast for the BJD were allegedly diverted to other parties through EVM manipulation, using 'official machinery and money power.' She claimed that rigging was observed in at least 63 polling booths, where votes meant for the BJD were allegedly diverted to other parties. The BJP won the bypoll by a significant margin of 83,748 votes, with Jay Dholakia emerging as the winner. BJD candidate Snehangini Chhuria finished third, while Congress nominee Ghasiram Majhi secured the second spot. Chhuria alleged that the high voter turnout in some polling booths created confusion, and the EC's repeated revisions to the voter turnout figures raised suspicions of manipulation. The EC initially reported a 75% turnout, later revised it to 77%, then 81%, and finally announced the actual turnout as 83.45%. The BJD has demanded an inquiry into the alleged manipulation and has vowed to expose the truth to the public. The BJP has rejected the allegations, stating that people have lost faith in the BJD. The party has maintained that the election was free and fair, and the results reflect the will of the people. The BJD's move to take the matter to the EC is seen as an attempt to seek justice and ensure that the integrity of the electoral process is upheld.