Election Commission asks BJD, Odisha govt to explain use of party symbol in govt ads

The Election Commission Wednesday sought explanations from ruling Biju Janata Dal and the Odisha government over the use of the BJD’s election symbol “conch” in state government advertisements, EC sources said.

The EC sent notices to the BJD general secretary and the Odisha chief secretary seeking replies by 5 pm on March 2, the sources said. The EC had received complaints alleging the BJD symbol was displayed on advertisements funded by the state government in newspapers, TV channels, hoardings and Odisha State Road Transport Corporation buses, the sources said.

The poll panel’s move comes after a BJP leader from Odisha, Jatin Mohanty, had moved the Delhi HC against the alleged misuse of public funds by the BJD-ruled Odisha government. The Delhi HC, however, declined to entertain the petition.