Naveen hit as EC pulls down his rice banners

CEO Alka Panda ordered removal of the banners after state BJP president Suresh Pujari lodged a complaint with the Election Commission,claiming that Naveen’s photograph on the scheme banners at fair price shops violated the model code of conduct. “In neighbouring Andhra,a DGP can be removed for praising the CM. How are the posters carrying Naveen’s face being allowed to be used for over a month?” asked Pujari.

Even the Congress has been critical of the subsidised rice scheme which has reaped rich political dividends for Naveen in the recently held civic polls. The Congress leaders have alleged that the Centre is giving Rs 13 subsidy on the Rs 2 a kg rice scheme and the Naveen Patnaik Government is hogging all the limelight by providing just Rs 3 subsidy.

“In 2004,Naveen misused the official machinery to defeat Bijoy Mohapatra in Patkura. We apprehend that he would repeat his act this time as well. His conduct in these matters is always suspicious. We would urge the EC to keep a hawk’s eye on district collectors,SPs and particularly the promotee IAS officers who may try to bend backwards to help the BJD candidates,” he said.

Orissa PCC working president Bhakta Charan Das apprehended that the state administration may go all out to help Naveen win at any cost. “Naveen has made it a habit of using the administrative machinery for his own gains during elections. The EC should try to curb it,” he said.