BJD Lodges Complaint Against BJP for Alleged Use of Children in Election Campaign

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, alleging the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of employing children in its election campaign activities in Khordha.

In its complaint submitted on Tuesday, the BJD raised concerns over an incident during a rally organized by the BJP at the Jatani Block Chowk under the Jatani Assembly seat, a part of the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency. The BJD claimed that during the rally, 15-20 children were observed participating, which, according to the party, violates child rights and the guidelines set by the Election Commission.

Present at the rally, as per the BJD’s complaint, were BJP’s Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha nominee Aparajita Sarangi, Jatani Assembly candidate Biswa Ranjan Badajena, and Chilika MLA Prasanta Jagadeb, along with other BJP workers. The BJD enclosed photos and videos purportedly supporting its allegations.

The BJD emphasized the unethical nature of involving children in political campaigns, particularly in light of the soaring temperatures, which exceeded 42 degrees Celsius. The party urged the state election panel to take immediate action against the implicated BJP leaders for allegedly exploiting children during the rally in Khordha.

“We therefore urge the state poll panel to take immediate action against the concerned BJP leaders for using children during the rally in Khordha. We hope the Election Commission upholds the integrity of the electoral process and ensures that such incidents are not repeated,” the BJD stated in its complaint.