Ahead of PM Modi’s roadshow, BJP leader shot dead in Khurda

Odisha Politics

Bhubaneswar: A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhubaneswar for a roadshow and election rally, a local BJP leader was shot dead on Sunday late night in Khurda under Khurda Model Police station, about 25 km from Modi’s proposed meeting ground.

This is the second instance of poll related violence and murder in the State in less than three weeks. On March 26, senior leader Ramachandra Behera, who was a MLA candidate from Ghasipura Assembly segment in 2014, was hacked to death in Keonjhar district by unknown miscreants.

On Sunday late night, unidentified miscreants shot Khurda Mandal (Zone) president Manguli Jena to death. Khurda Assembly constituency that comes under Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat will go to polls in the third phase on April 23.

Jena was shot dead by two unidentified bike-borne miscreants while he was talking to party’s Khurda Assembly seat candidate Kalu Khandayatray at 11.45 pm at the party office in Nabeenabag.

After committing the crime, the miscreants fled from the spot. Meanwhile, BJP workers staged a demonstration in front of Khurda Model police station demanding immediate arrest of the accused.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan condemned the killing.

“There is no place of violence in democracy. I request the Election Commission to direct police to take stringent action against those involved,” said Patnaik, who happens to be the president of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pradhan also condemned the brutal murder of the party worker and said the ruling BJD has become furious and resorted to violence in fear of losing the election.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold roadshows in Bhubaneswar and address a public rally at Baramunda Ground here at 4 pm on Tuesday.

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