Bhubaneswar: A delegation of Biju Janata dal (BJD) met the Chief Election Officer (CEO) here, Friday demanding action against BJP nominee from Basta Assembly constituency, Rabindra Nath Andia, for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The delegation, in a memorandum to the CEO, alleged that Andia distributed money and liquor in Ratii panchayat under Baliapal block May 30 to influence voters. The constituency goes to the polls today.
In the memorandum, BJD leader Sulata Deo said, “It has come to our attention that Rabindra Nath Andia, the BJP MLA Candidate from Basta Assembly Constituency has been caught distributing money and foreign liquor by locals during the ‘no campaign’ period at Barakaurda village in Ratii gram panchayat of Baliapal Block at 10 pm May 30, 2024.” The BJD has also lodged an FIR at the Baliapal Police Station in this regard, the memorandum stated. “This incident is not only a blatant disregard for the principles of fair and democratic elections but also a clear violation of the rules set forth in the model code of conduct. Such actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process and erode public trust in the democratic system,” the memorandum added, demanding ‘swift’ and ‘decisive’ action against the violators. Moreover, the BJD delegation urged the Election Commission to intensify monitoring efforts in the Basta Assembly constituency and other areas to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future.