The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday against Odisha Minister Nityananda Gond, alleging he violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The minister is accused of using a government college for political campaigning in favour of the BJP candidate for the upcoming Nuapada bypoll.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty alleged that Minister Gond, the minister of School and Mass Education, and ST & SC Development and Minorities and Backward Classes, utilized the premises of Gopinath GNM Nursing Training College at Nuapada for political purposes on Monday.
“Though the meeting was reportedly organised under the banner of the Gond Samaj, its content and purpose were overtly political, aimed at influencing voters in favour of the BJP candidate,” he alleged in the complaint to the EC.
The BJD spokesperson argued that the minister’s actions “erode public confidence in the fairness of the electoral process” and set a “dangerous precedent for the misuse of educational institutions and public office,” which the poll code strictly prohibits to ensure neutrality.
“By conducting and participating in a political meeting within an educational institution, Gond has clearly violated the provisions of the MCC. He has abused his position as a minister, undermined the neutrality of his office, and attempted to influence a vulnerable section of the electorate comprising students and educational staff,” he alleged.
“Such conduct has also created an uneven playing field in the ongoing bye-election for the 71-Nuapada Assembly constituency… Necessary measures be taken to prevent the misuse of educational institutions or other government properties for political activities during the ongoing election period, thereby ensuring a fair and impartial electoral environment,” he said.
Gond is yet to comment on the allegations levelled against him.
The Nuapada by-election is scheduled to be held on November 11. In the three-way contest, the BJP has fielded Jay Dholakia, son of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, whose death on September 8 necessitated the bypoll.
The BJD has nominated its women’s wing president Snehangini Chhuria, while the Congress has fielded veteran leader Ghasiram Majhi.
