BHUBANESHWAR: The ruling BJD on Wednesday urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to take appropriate action against Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan for violation of model code of conduct.
A delegation of the BJD led by party's general secretary Debasis Samantaray submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission alleging that Pradhan said at a college function at the district headquarters on Tuesday that aluminium and thermal power plants will be established in Dhenkanal district
The Union Minister announced in the meeting about the signing of an agreement for the establishment of a Rs 20,000 crore thermal power plant and an aluminium plant at Dhenkanal and made electoral promises for the creation of employment opportunities for the youths of the district.
Such an announcement by the Union Minister was a gross violation of the model code of conduct and an effort to woo the voters in favour of the BJP, the BJD said.
Pradhan, several of his party colleagues and some government officials were invited by the Principal of Dhenkanal Government Autonomous College to attend the annual function of the students union while the model code of conduct is in force.
The delegation urged the SEC to initiate action against all those who have violated the model code of conduct.