Bhubaneswar, Jan 4: The fight between BJD and BJP in Odisha over advertisements allegedly violating model code conduct continues with both the parties moving State Election Commission against each other. The regional party which moved the commission against rice scheme advertisement of Centre has once again alleged that Centre’s announcement on Atal Jyoti Yojana violates the poll code and demanded prohibition on the publication and transmission of advertisement of the central scheme in Odisha. Notably, the Centre issued advertisement on the rural solar light scheme and appealed to the people of 202 districts of five States including Odisha to extract benefit out of it. The MPs have been asked to implement the programme in their respective areas.
The State BJP too has countered BJD over advertisements on Aahaar and Niramaya Yojana. The saffron party lodged similar complaint with the commission alleging that photographs of CM Naveen Patnaik on the banner and hoardings of the schemes amount to breach of election code. BJP also demanded restriction on officers’ personal meeting with Chief Minister.
The regional ruling party has already made four complaints against the BJP while the saffron party has moved the commission thrice with similar allegations. Considering complaints of both the parties, the Commission has directed the Centre to stop the advertisements of Ujjwala and Swacha Bharat scheme. On the other hand, experts claim that constitution has not bared the Prime Minister to announce scheme during Panchayat or civic body polls.
