BJP Worker Hacked to Death in Clash with BJD Workers in Odisha

In a tragic incident in Odisha’s Ganjam district, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker lost his life in a clash with workers from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the pasting of election posters. The deceased, identified as Dilip Pahan, was among several BJP workers engaged in affixing campaign posters for party candidate Purna Chandra Sethy in Krushna Saranpur village. The altercation escalated when BJD workers armed with swords attacked the BJP workers, leading to a violent confrontation. Pahan succumbed to his injuries, while another BJP worker was transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for medical treatment. Additionally, seven BJP workers and four BJD workers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical care.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has condemned the violence, assuring that the police will take strong and exemplary action against the perpetrators. Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Patnaik emphasized the need for swift justice in the face of such heinous crimes. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the ruling BJD, alleging that the violence stemmed from their fear of electoral defeat. Pradhan asserted that such acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and urged the electorate to respond fittingly during the upcoming voting on May 20, 25, and June 1.

This incident adds to a series of election-related clashes in the region. Just days prior, on Monday night, BJP MP candidate Pradeep Panigrahi was assaulted by an independent candidate, Siba Sankar Dash, while discussing with police officials about the sealing of EVM machines outside a polling booth in Berhampur town. Panigrahi, who recently switched allegiance to BJP after being expelled from BJD, sustained fractures to his rib cage and was hospitalized at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Dash was arrested by the police and charged with attempted murder, while Panigrahi also lodged a counter case against his assailant. These incidents underscore growing concerns about the escalating violence surrounding the electoral process in Odisha.

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