Bhubaneswar: A delegation of leaders and representatives from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) visited the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, today to submit four representations detailing alleged grave violations of the Model Code of Conduct and election norms in the 71-Nuapada Assembly Constituency, where polling is scheduled for November 11th.
The BJD expressed serious concern over the conduct of the BJP and its candidate, Shri Jay Dholakia. Specifically, the party highlighted a campaign video posted on social media by Shri Dholakia featuring his mother, Smt. Kalpana Dholakia, during the legally mandated 48-hour silence period. The BJD stated that the video, which appeals for votes, invokes a recent family loss, and displays BJP party symbols, constitutes a deliberate exploitation of personal sentiment to gain electoral advantage, which is a violation of election laws prohibiting campaigning during the silence period.
The delegation further reported that BJP leaders, including Shri Biswa Ranjan Badjena, BJP District President Khorda, and Shri Nihar Ranjan Mahanand, BJP MLA Attabira, along with their vehicles, continue to roam freely within the constituency despite clear restrictions on the movement of political functionaries during the silence period. The BJD also claimed that locals have documented the systematic distribution of money and use of coercion by BJP workers and outsiders from Chhattisgarh to influence voters, with reports and video evidence provided to the authorities.
The BJD conveyed deep distress regarding the roles of the Collector and SP of Nuapada, contending that they have facilitated the BJP in manipulating the poll environment instead of taking impartial action. The party argued that the officials’ alleged selective action undermines the integrity of the election.
With less than 12 hours remaining before the polls open, the BJD demanded immediate and decisive intervention from the Chief Electoral Officer. The party requested the prompt removal of objectionable campaign content, removal of unauthorized vehicles and persons from the constituency, the immediate suspension and replacement of the officials accused of bias, and the rapid deployment of security personnel and observers to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful voting process in Nuapada.
The BJD delegation included Smt. Sulata Deo, Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Dr. Priyabrata Majhi, Smt. Ipsita Sahoo, Shri Mihir Ray, Shri Narayan Jena, Smt. Illa Swain, Smt. Anshu Tripathy, Sofia Alam, Smt. Jyotshna Parida, Smt. Ritanjali Pradhan, and Smt. Minati Behera.