Model code violation by Naveen, Rout, alleges BJP

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar: Opposition BJP today moved the Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) alleging violation of model code of conduct in force for the 19 September urban polls by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Health minister Damodar Rout. A delegation of BJP leaders including Samir Mohanty, met the State Election Commissioner Ajit Tripahty and sought action against the BJD leaders.[caption id=“attachment_1067511” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] The BJP leaders claimed that the chief minister’s chopper landed at the ground of Swami Vivekananda College at Jagatsinghpur and he had gone to the government circuit house in violation of the model code of conduct. The chief minister and ministers should not use government guest houses and circuit house while on election campaign, they said, quoting the provision of the model code of conduct. The BJP leaders also alleged that the chief minister was received by government officials. The BJP further alleged that Health Minister Damodar Rout used red beacon on his personal car while on election campaigning in Dhenkanal district. “The minister used red beacon on his personal car and when confronted by sub-collector, who raised objection and asked him to remove it, he reprimanded the official and argued with him,” said the delegation of the party. Rout, on the other hand, clarified that he had not used government vehicle or the red beacon during the campaign. “Therefore, there is no question of violation of model code of conduct,” the health minister said. PTI