BHUBANESWAR: The State BJP on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to prohibit Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak from campaigning for the Kandhamal by-election.
Accusing the District Collector-cum-Returning Officer of favouritism, BJP spokesperson Samir Mohanty said the district administration has turned a blind eye to the violations of Model Code of Conduct by the ruling party.
While the district administration is very strict towards the Opposition political parties as far as election code is concerned, it is bending the rules in favour of the BJD, Mohanty said.
He further alleged that vehicles used in electioneering by the BJP are being detained deliberately for checking and the district administration has taken all possible measures to create disruption in the election campaign of the BJP.
He said even as the BJP has apprised the district administration of several violations of Model Code of Conduct by the BJD, the inaction of District Election Officer has encouraged the ruling party to misuse Government machinery.
Apart from putting up banners and posters on Government buildings, the BJD is brazenly using Government accommodation and other facilities in the Parliamentary constituency for political purpose.
The Kandhamal Collector had issued show cause notice to the Health Minister for alleged violation of Model Code following a directive from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
On September 30, Nayak made some controversial statement at a meeting of party workers at Kotagarh under Baliguda Assembly segment.
He had said the BJD workers need not worry about anything as the party is in power in the State and the Government officials as well as police, who will be conducting the by-poll, were working as per the instructions of the Chief Minister.
The BJP had filed an FIR at Phulbani Town police station against Nayak for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making such a statement in public.