Berhampur: Berhampur Assembly independent candidate Siva Shankar Das was arrested and sent to jail Tuesday for allegedly attacking BJP’s Berhampur Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Panigrahy on polling day Monday.
Both Pradeep and Siva Shankar got into a heated argument at Gosani Nuagam Monday during polling at the Utkalmani UP School booth in the first phase of the Assembly election in the state in which Panigrahy was allegedly assaulted by Das.
The police arrested Siva Shankar Monday after Pradeep Panigrahi filed an FIR against him. The independent MLA candidate was booked and produced before the Berhampur SDJM court, which rejected his bail petition and sent him to judicial custody.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Panigrahy, who was initially admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, has been shifted to Bhubaneswar AIIMS for treatment.
Panigrahi’s wife described the attack on her husband as well-planned.
However, Das’s wife Asha Kumari Das has also lodged a counter FIR Tuesday alleging that her husband was also attacked by the BJP supporters, said police.
The incident took place Monday evening after polling was completed when Panigrahy went to a polling station in Gosani Nuagaon area to check whether EVMs were being properly sealed before being taken to the strong room.
Das reached the spot along with his supporters and a heated argument ensued between him and Panigrahy, following which a scuffle broke out during which Das allegedly shoved and punched Panigrahy, a police officer said.
A police team headed by Gosani Nuagaon inspector-in-charge Smrutirekha Pradhan reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
Supporters of Das staged a sit-in in front of the police station where Das was held, demanding his release. “We tried to convince the agitators. But they did not listen and continued their protest,” SP said, adding that they left the place after the arrival of additional force at the police station.
“An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police sustained injuries when the protesters allegedly pelted stones, he said
Sources said that Das was seeking a BJP ticket from the Berhampur assembly segment but was allegedly denied by Panigrahy.
Das had earlier unsuccessful contested two times from the Assembly constituency in BJP ticket and as an Independent. As many as 35 criminal cases were pending against him, as per his affidavits filed during his nomination before the returning officer.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJD moved the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that its three supporters were attacked by some BJP workers in Ganjam district during the poll process. Simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held in Odisha.
PNN & Agencies
