This story is from October 15, 2014

BJP moves poll panel against law minister

The BJP on Tuesday accused law minister Arun Sahoo of trying to influence voters after the deadline of campaigning for Kandhamal Lok Sabha byelection.Sahoo rubbished the allegation.
BJP moves poll panel against law minister
BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Tuesday accused law minister Arun Sahoo of trying to influence voters after the deadline of campaigning for Kandhamal Lok Sabha byelection. Sahoo rubbished the allegation.
BJP spokesperson Sameer Mohanty met chief electoral officer Mona Sharma and complained that the minister was seen canvassing at Khamarsahi village under Dasapalla tehsil around 9.30 am on Tuesday, a day after the curtain fell on campaigning, a BJP statement said.

BJP campaign committee chief Bijay Mohapatra said though he raised the issue with the district administration and election observers, no action was taken. "The bypoll has become a farce. While rest of us left the constituency after the campaign period, Sahoo and several other BJD MLAs continued to camp in the area in gross violation of the poll code," he said.
Mohapatra alleged Sahoo canvassed in presence of police, while several BJD lawmakers are still in Kandhamal.
Sahoo said he did not violate the poll code. "My presence in Dasapalla can't be questioned as I am a voter there. No one can stop me from visiting my native place. However, I didn't campaign after the deadline. The BJP allegation is a pack of lies," the minister said.
When asked about Sahoo's response, Mohapatra said he is no ordinary citizen, but a minister. Moreover, he was at Khamarsahi as a campaigner, seeking votes for his party candidate, and not a mere voter.

Sahoo was the second minister to have been accused of poll code violation. His ministerial colleague Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak was served a show-cause notice for violating the model code of conduct while addressing a meeting at Kotagarh on September 29.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced Wednesday as a holiday in Kandhamal. Workers in industries and business establishments in Kandhamal and voters working elsewhere are entitled to a paid holiday, a government statement said.
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