Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal on Sunday demanded strong action against
Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) while campaigning for the BJP in the ensuing Dhamnagar Assembly by-election in Bhadrak district.
A delegation of the BJD moved the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Bhubaneswar and submitted a memorandum in this regard.
The BJD alleged that the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakri
while campaigning for his party candidate had promised to undertake works of the Central government related to his Ministry in Dhamnagar in clear violation of the MCC.
In a video submitted to the CEO, the BJD claimed that Tudu was seen addressing multiple electronic media channels wherein he makes assurances and promises that Government of India works with reference to Jal Shakti would be undertaken by him in Dhamnagar, which is in clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The MCC guidelines strongly prohibits making any assurances and promises of undertaking any Governmental works by any public representative while the election MCC is in force. In this case, a Union Minister of State is found violating the MCC, the Odisha’s ruling party said.
The BJD demanded strict and exemplary action against Tudu
“If action is not taken against the concerned Union Minister of State, it will set a very bad precedence for the voters of Dhamnagar and for democracy”, the BJD said.