BJP to move ED, IT over Biju Janata Dal’s election expenditure

The national party claims there are discrepancies in the Odisha ruling party’s election expenditure, a charge the BJD denies.

BJP Odisha unit on Saturday said it would move the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax department for an investigation into the alleged discrepancies in the data of ruling BJD’s election expenditure.

Orissa CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)

“We will draw the attention of Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department and apprise them of the irregularities (of BJD’s election expenditure),” BJP state vice-president Samir Mohanty said.

An English language television channel aired a news item in this regard on Friday.

Meanwhile, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati demanded CBI investigation into the entire financial transaction of the ruling party.

BJD denied the allegations.

“BJP is trying to defame BJD. All allegations levelled against our party are baseless. We have made all our transactions in a transparent manner,” BJD treasurer Subash Singh said.