BJD chief and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik during a roadshow ahead of Nuapada Assembly constituency bye-election, in Nuapada, Odisha, on November 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday (November 10, 2025) expressed strong displeasure over the alleged violation of the model code of conduct, accusing ministers and ruling party MLAs of remaining in Nuapada despite being required to leave the district 36 hours before polling.
Nuapada goes to poll on November 11. The bypoll is being held following the demise of former minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rajendra Dholakia.
In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Mr. Patnaik said, “The hallmark of a true democracy lies in the conduct of free and fair elections. However, it has come to our notice that in Nuapada, serious violations are taking place during the legally mandated silence period — 36 hours before polling.”
The veteran leader cited Election Commission guidelines stating that political leaders and campaigners from outside the constituency must leave the area once the silence period begins.
“Contrary to this, we have reliable information that ministers, MLAs, and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from outside Nuapada are freely moving around and attempting to influence voters through unfair means,” he said.”
Mr. Patnaik added, “Disturbingly, when local BJD leaders have objected to these activities, they have been detained by the police. This clearly suggests that the district administration and local police are acting in a partisan manner, serving the interests of the ruling party rather than upholding electoral neutrality.”
‘Shadows the integrity’
“This situation strikes at the very core of democratic fairness and undermines public faith in the electoral process. Such actions will cast a serious shadow on the integrity of the polls in Nuapada,” said former Odisha Chief Minister, who also holds the presidentship of BJD.
The BJD chief urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to “enforce the 36-hour silence period strictly so that ministers, MLAs, and BJP leaders from outside vacate the constituency as per ECI norms.”
He also appealed to the Commission to direct administration and police to act impartially and uphold the sanctity of the election process, while keeping a close watch on sensitive and vulnerable booths identified by the BJD and other opposition parties.
“The people of India have inherited this democracy through the sacrifices of our forefathers, and it is the duty of every institution especially the ECI to protect it from erosion,” Mr. Patnaik said.
Published – November 10, 2025 10:37 pm IST
