The BJD on Wednesday lodged a complaint before the State Election Commission that Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan violated model code of conduct by announcing for establishment of Rs20,000-crore thermal power and aluminium plants at Dhenkanal and making promises of employment opportunities.
A team led by party general secretary and MlA Debashis Samantaray brought a news report published in a vernacular daily to the SEC’s notice.
BJP star campaigner Pradhan, his party colleagues and some Government officials had been invited to the annual function of the Dhenkanla Government (Autonomous) College on January 1 while model code of conduct was already in operation. Pradhan made the above announcement and promised jobs for youths.
“These announcements and promises are in violation of the model code of conduct. We urge you to kindly initiate immediate action against all concerned for violation of poll code,” demanded the BJD.
Among others, party general secretary BJD Prasanta Nanda, MlAs Priyadarshi Mishra and Dr Pramod Mallick, and State BYJD spokesperson Bijaya Nayak were present.