BJP MLA candidate Prashant Jagdev barges into polling booth and vandalizes EVM Machine, detained
Khurda: Odisha BJP MLA candidate Prashant Jagdev barged into a polling booth and vandalized the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) machine.
According to reports, voting was underway at Badakumari Panchayat of Bolagarh Block of Khurda district. However, Prashant Jagdev barged into a polling booth and vandalized the property including the EVM Machine and fled the spot.
The saffron leader also allegedly thrashed the presiding officer for protesting him entering the booth. It is also alleged that BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP candidate Aparajita Sarangi was present at the post when Jagdev barged into the polling booth and vandalized the EVM machine.
Later, police chased and detained him for vandalizing the EVM Machine. Police waylaid the car, in which he along with Aparajita Sarangi was fleeing and detained him for interrogation.
It is to be noted here that Prashant Jagdev, who is the siting Cilika MLA, was arrested and jailed for beating up BJP’s town president. He even tried to mow down BJP supporters with his vehicle, injuring more than 15 of them in March, 2022. Later, he was expelled from BJD. However, he joined the BJP, which fielded him to contest this assembly election from Khurda constituency.
Meanwhile, the State ruling BJD condemned the action and moved the Election Commission of India demanding strict action against Prashant Jagdev and his arrest.
Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal, on the other hand, assured to take action after registering an FIR against Jagdev.
Speaking about the incident, Aparajita said that the law will take its own course and police will take action as per the law of the land.
