BJD chief and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik during a roadshow ahead of bye-elections in Nuapada Assembly constituency in Nuapada, Odisha on November 7, 2025. | Photo credit: PTI
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday (Nov 10, 2025) expressed strong displeasure over the alleged violation of the model code of conduct and accused ministers and ruling party MLAs of staying in Nuapada despite having to leave the district 36 hours before polling.
Nuapada goes to the polls on November 11. The election round comes after the resignation of former minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rajendra Dholakia.
In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Mr. Patnaik said, “The character of a true democracy is to hold free and fair elections. But we have found that in Nuapada there is a silence imposed by law — 36 hours before the election.”
The veteran leader cited the Election Commission’s guidelines stating that political leaders and activists outside the constituency must leave the area once the period of silence begins.
“On the contrary, we have reliable information that ministers, MLAs and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders outside Nuapadu are roaming freely and trying to influence voters through unfair means,” he said.
Mr. Patnaik added, “Disturbingly, when local BJD leaders objected to these activities, they were detained by the police. This clearly indicates that the district administration and local police are acting in a partisan manner, serving the interests of the ruling party rather than promoting electoral neutrality.”
“Shades Integrity”
“This situation strikes at the very core of democratic justice and undermines public confidence in the electoral process. Such actions will cast a serious shadow on the integrity of the Nuapada elections,” said the former Odisha chief minister, who is also the BJD president.
The BJD chief urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to “strictly enforce a 36-hour silence period so that ministers, MLAs and outside BJP leaders vacate the constituency as per ECI norms”.
He also appealed to the Commission to direct the administration and the police to act impartially and uphold the sanctity of the election process while keeping a close eye on the sensitive and vulnerable booths identified by the BJD and other opposition parties.
“The people of India have inherited this democracy thanks to the sacrifices of our forefathers and it is the duty of every institution, especially the ECI, to protect it from erosion,” Patnaik said.
Published – 10 Nov 2025 22:37 IST
