<p>Accusing Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan of encouraging a woman journalist to hit Odisha's Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain during his campaign for Padampur bypoll, the ruling BJD sought "suitable action" against the senior BJP leader.</p>.<p>A delegation of the ruling party on Thursday submitted to Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) a memorandum to that effect along with a pen drive, which reportedly had video proof of Pradhan encouraging the television journalist to attack the Odisha minister, popularly known as Raja Swain.</p>.<p>Claiming that the party came across the video on social media, the BJD delegation, led by MP Sasmit Patra and spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, called for immediate action against Pradhan.</p>.<p>Both Swain, campaigning for BJD candidate Barsha Singh Bariha in Padampur, and Pradhan, canvassing for BJP nominee Pradeep Purohit in the assembly segment, were not available for comment.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/rampur-bypoll-sp-leader-azam-khan-toiling-to-salvage-pride-as-bjp-plays-development-plank-1167680.html" target="_blank">Rampur bypoll: SP leader Azam Khan toiling to salvage pride as BJP plays development plank</a></strong></p>.<p>Meanwhile, the opposition BJP, too, moved Chief Electoral Officer S K Lohani demanding action against BJD leaders and ministers, who have "unleashed a reign of terror in the constituency".</p>.<p>BJP state general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar claimed that "lawlessness prevails in Padampur, with the local police and civil administration acting on the behest of the ruling party".</p>.<p>"A BJP worker named Nirupama Bag was injured in an attack by BJD goons on the instruction of an MLA," the petition by saffron party said.</p>.<p>Byelection to Padampur, necessitated by the death of BJD legislator Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha, is scheduled to be held on December 5. Votes will be counted three days later.</p>
<p>Accusing Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan of encouraging a woman journalist to hit Odisha's Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain during his campaign for Padampur bypoll, the ruling BJD sought "suitable action" against the senior BJP leader.</p>.<p>A delegation of the ruling party on Thursday submitted to Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) a memorandum to that effect along with a pen drive, which reportedly had video proof of Pradhan encouraging the television journalist to attack the Odisha minister, popularly known as Raja Swain.</p>.<p>Claiming that the party came across the video on social media, the BJD delegation, led by MP Sasmit Patra and spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, called for immediate action against Pradhan.</p>.<p>Both Swain, campaigning for BJD candidate Barsha Singh Bariha in Padampur, and Pradhan, canvassing for BJP nominee Pradeep Purohit in the assembly segment, were not available for comment.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/rampur-bypoll-sp-leader-azam-khan-toiling-to-salvage-pride-as-bjp-plays-development-plank-1167680.html" target="_blank">Rampur bypoll: SP leader Azam Khan toiling to salvage pride as BJP plays development plank</a></strong></p>.<p>Meanwhile, the opposition BJP, too, moved Chief Electoral Officer S K Lohani demanding action against BJD leaders and ministers, who have "unleashed a reign of terror in the constituency".</p>.<p>BJP state general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar claimed that "lawlessness prevails in Padampur, with the local police and civil administration acting on the behest of the ruling party".</p>.<p>"A BJP worker named Nirupama Bag was injured in an attack by BJD goons on the instruction of an MLA," the petition by saffron party said.</p>.<p>Byelection to Padampur, necessitated by the death of BJD legislator Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha, is scheduled to be held on December 5. Votes will be counted three days later.</p>