Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, alleging a serious violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Shri Nityanand Gond, Minister of School and Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare.
The complaint, dated October 21, 2025, focuses on an alleged political meeting held on October 20, 2025, within the premises of the Gopinath GNM Nursing Training College in Nuapada.
According to the BJD’s memorandum, Minister Shri Gond actively campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Shri Jay Dholkia, who is contesting the upcoming bye-election for the 71-Nuapada Assembly Constituency. The BJD stated that though the gathering was reportedly organized under the banner of the Gond Samaj, its content and purpose were overtly political.
The BJD has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take immediate cognizance of this violation and initiate an inquiry against the Minister. The regional party is requesting that strict action be taken as per the MCC guidelines and that measures be implemented to prevent the misuse of educational institutions or other government properties for political activities during the ongoing election period, which they argue is necessary to ensure a fair and impartial electoral environment.
The BJD further noted that such actions by a sitting Minister could erode public confidence and set a dangerous precedent for the misuse of public office and educational institutions. Photographic evidence was submitted with the complaint for the ECI’s perusal and necessary action.
The by-election for the Nuapada Assembly seat was necessitated following the death of the sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, 2025. The BJP named Jay Dholakia, the son of the late legislator, as its candidate on October 15 after he recently switched from the BJD to the saffron party. The bypoll is scheduled to be held on November 11.