The BJP again on Sunday moved the State Election Commission (SEC) demanding action against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Health and Family Welfare Minister (H&FW) Dr Damodar Rout for allegedly violating the model code of conduct enforced in the State for the ensuing urban local body (UlB) elections.
Party’s UlB cell convenor Dilip Mohanty in two separate memoranda submitted to the SEC stated that Rout used red beacon on his personal car during his election campaign in Dhenkanal on Saturday thereby violating the model code of conduct.
The party stated that when the local Sub-Collector-cum-Returning Officer raised objection and requested the Minister to remove the red beacon, Rout reprimanded the official and misbehaved with him. Rout even publicly questioned the authority of the Sub-Collector and told him ‘To Kiye’ (Who are youIJ).
The party too highlighted the issue of alleged violation of the election code by Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik during his election campaign. It stated that on Sunday the Chief Minister landed his helicopter at the Swami Vivekananda Memorial (SVM) College ground in Jagatsinghpur, openly violating the poll code.
“The Chief Minister had gone there in the capacity of a star campaigner. But he was received by the Government officials and lodged at the Government Circuit House. Even, the District Collector was present in the vicinity of the college, where the Chief Minister’s helicopter landed,” alleged the BJP.
Party spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said, “The ruling party has been throwing all rules to the wind. It is openly flouting the code of conduct and misusing official machinery.”
However, on the contrary, Rout rubbished the allegation against him and clarified that he had gone for campaigning in Dhenkanal in his private car.
“I respect the law of the land and know what to do or what not to. Though there was red beacon on my private car, it was not blinking. So the question of breaching the model code of conduct does not arise,” said Rout.