Patra faces heat for rally sans admin nod

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Puri: Trouble seems to be mounting for BJP spokesman and party nominee for Puri Lok Sabha seat Sambit Patra who carried an idol of Lord Jagannath in a vehicle during a rally and it has not gone down well with a section of the temple servitors and the Congress.
While the Congress lodged a complaint with the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Tuesday saying Patra used Lord Jagannath for political benefit and it is a violation of the model code of conduct, a show-cause notice has been served on him for holding a rally without permission from the administration. The District Election Officer, Puri has issued the show-cause notice to Patra. The DEO said that even permission was not granted to hold the rally in the city.
Puri Collector and returning officer Jyotiprakash Das said Patra had organised a rally here March 25 without obtaining prior permission. “Patra and around a hundred BJP workers participated in the rally. We have served a show-cause notice on him for violation of model code of conduct. He has been asked to submit his reply within three days,” Das added.
The BJP leader, however, denied the charges saying someone gifted him the idol during the rally and he only paid his respect to it. “It is against the culture and tradition of Lord Jagannath to be carried in a vehicle during an election rally,” said Dasmohapatra.
“When it has been mentioned by the Hon’ble ECI that no election can be fought on the basis of any religion, caste, creed or culture, the election rally of Patra and the photograph thereof clearly show the violation of model code of conduct,” state Congress spokesperson Nishikant Mishra said.
Patra, however, rejected the allegation. “Someone gifted me the idol of the Lord during the rally. I held it and paid respect to it. There is nothing wrong in showing respect to my Lord. I am not bothered about what others are saying. Don”t link it with elections,” he said. “I have heard about the notice served on me from media. I have not violated any law. I would submit my reply only after receiving the notice,” he added.