The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has levied serious allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, accusing it of misusing state machinery and police forces to manipulate the ongoing student union elections in favor of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
The controversy escalated following the detention of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) President Ipsita Sahu while polling was actively underway.
During a press conference held today at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, senior BJD leaders—including Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Tumbanath Panda, Amrita Mishra, Sophia Alam, Swarajlaxmi Samal, and Madhusmita Parida—strongly condemned the state administration. The party alleged that the BJP, fearing a surge in support for the BJD among students, orchestrated Sahu’s arrest to suppress opposition.
Addressing the media, Dr. Mohanty stated that the ruling government is utilizing administrative channels to heavily influence the electoral outcome. He alleged that the BJP is attempting to capture the elections through “candidate theft and vote theft,” claiming that BCJD candidates have even been abducted in several locations. According to Mohanty, Sahu was detained simply because she created obstacles for these undemocratic practices.
Echoing these sentiments, BJD leader Tumbanath Panda highlighted the overwhelming support of Generation Z for former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Panda pointed out specific irregularities, particularly at Rama Devi Women’s University, where he alleged the BJP crossed all boundaries to secure an ABVP victory. He further questioned the impartiality of the police, claiming that while BJP corporators were allowed to roam freely on college campuses without consequence, student leaders from the BJD were systematically targeted. He noted that authorities also attempted to obstruct Chinmay Sahu, President of the Biju Yuva Janata Dal.
The BJD leaders termed the government’s actions as a sign of intolerance and cowardice toward the democratic process. Warning of a strong backlash, the party asserted that the student community of Odisha is closely observing these developments and will deliver an appropriate response to the ruling government in the coming days.
