BJD accuses Congress of poll code violation
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday alleged that the model code of conduct has been blatantly violated by the Congress which has issued advertisements sponsored by the Centre regarding the achievements of several Central ministries in different newspapers.
In a memorandum to the State Election Commissioner (SEC), president of the Biju Mahila Janata Dal Pramila Mallik, president of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) Sanjay Dasburma and several MLAs alleged that this was in gross violation of the notification of the State Election Commission and guidelines of the model code of conduct.
They alleged that the SEC guidelines prohibit any advertisement at the cost of the public exchequer highlighting achievements of the Central and State governments which will influence the voters in the ensuing elections to the urban local bodies (ULBs) in Odisha scheduled on September 19.
The memorandum alleged that the Congress which is in power at the Centre has misused its official position for its campaign in connection with the ensuing elections to the ULBs. Requesting immediate intervention in the matter, the BJD members demanded that SEC should issue direction to prevent such violation of model code of conduct.
Dasburma also raised the issue in the Assembly during the zero hour.