BJD, BJP welcome ECI’s poll feedback move
Bhubaneswar: The BJD has welcomed the Election Commission of India (ECI) move seeing views and suggestions from political parties on conduct of election campaign during Covid-19.
“Election is an inseparable part of the democracy. But the world is going through an unprecedented situation because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ECI’s decision to seek suggestion of political parties is a welcome step. Our president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik will surely give constructive suggestions to the poll panel,” said senior BJD leader and former minister Shashi Bhusan Behera.
Senior BJP leader and leader of opposition in the state assembly, Pradipta Kumar Naik also welcomed the move.
“The poll panel has taken the right decision in seeking suggestions from all political parties to take a call on conducting elections,” said Naik.
Senior Congress leader Taraprasad Bahinipati said the ECI should convene an all-party meeting to discuss the strategies to conduct elections during the pandemic. Bahinipati said also said elections should be conducted by adhering to Covid guidelines.
The ECI’s move assumes significance as by-elections are pending in two assembly seats following the death of two sitting MLAs – BJP’s Madan Mohan Dutta (Balasore Sadar) and BJD’s Bishnu Das (Tirtol).
Even as schedule for the by-election is yet to be announced, the three major political parties have started preliminary groundwork and candidate selection process. While both the BJD and BJP would try to retain their respective seats, the Congress is eyeing for some gains.
EoM