Bhubaneswar: Accusing the BJP of violation of the model code of conduct (MCC), a team led by BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra Wednesday submitted a written complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here.
A four-member delegation of the BJD informed the CEO that BJP’s candidate for Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat, Baijayant Panda, has been using helicopters in absence of commercial charter for his election campaign. As per Election Commission (EC) guidelines, a commercial charter is mandatory for use in election campaigns.
“It has come to our knowledge that Baijayant Panda has been using helicopters owned by IMFA. The IMFA does not have commercial charters. The bigger question before the EC is that how come a contesting MP candidate is able to fly helicopter without commercial charter when it’s clearly violating the norms,” said Patra.
“As per norms, a person can hire those choppers only if IMFA helicopters have commercial charter, and if he/she is a nominee for elections, he or she must also furnish the expenditure in the election expenditure statement,” he added.
The allegations against Panda have come 10 days after Patra had levelled allegations against the former for violating another MCC when his video-campaign vehicle was engaged in Kendrapara without permission from the CEO of Odisha.
The delegation urged the CEO to look into the matter and take strong action against Panda as well as IMFA for violating the MCC.