Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD and the BJP indulged in mudslinging on the rampant use of black money following seizure of Rs 40.5 lakh in Bijepur, where bypoll will be held on February 24. Both the parties approached the chief electoral officer (CEO) and accused each other of using money power to influence the voters.

The police seized the money from a Mahindra Xylo and arrested a father-duo son near the check gate at Mahulipali Square on Padampur-Bijepur road. The duo was carrying the cash in their four-wheeler on Friday evening.

The father and son have been identified as Om Prakash Agarwal and Akash Agarwal, respectively.

During their interrogation, they had failed to answer the queries of the officials on the sources of money and where it was going to be utilised. The police in the FIR also claimed that the duo had admitted that the money was being taken to Bijepur for distribution among voters and ensure their vote for the BJP.

This is the second time the police seized money in poll-bound Bijepur. On February 14, it had seized Rs 3.20 lakh from two cars.

However, the BJP denied the allegations and met the CEO. BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said: "The money was being illegally transported to Bijepur for election purposes. The local administration is acting as an agent of the BJD. We have also urged the CEO to take appropriate action."

The party also accused the ruling party of being vindictive and misusing the government machinery.

"It's using the government machinery, muscle and money power to win the election," the BJP said in a press release.

The ruling reacted swiftly and a delegation led by its vice-president Surjya Narayan Patro also met the CEO and lodged the complaint.

Patro said: "The money was seized from Om Prakash Agarwal, who is an active Viswa Hindu Parishad and BJP member. He was also involved in setting fire to the Padmapur church during communal violence. A case was lodged at Padmapur police station (case no 80/2008). His son Akash is also an active member of the VHP and the BJP."

Patro said: "Necessary action should be initiated against the culprits. Immediate action by the ED and income tax authorities should also be taken."

BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said: "The duo belong to a renowned jeweller family."

Agarwal's father is a jeweller in Bargarh and also a VHP member."

On the ground, the three political parties have intensified their campaign in Bijepur. The BJD and the BJP paraded their star powers to woo voters. Taking a jibe at the two parties, senior Congress leader Srikant Jena said: "The voters in the 21st century are not fools that they will see a parade of cine stars and cast their votes."

While central ministers including Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram and Santosh Gangwar have campaigned for the BJP candidate, chief minister Naveen Patnaik hit the trail on Tuesday and Wednesday.