Allegation of misuse of official machinery in Nuapada bye-election
- This bye-election marks a shameful chapter in the State’s electoral history
- Election Code of Conduct seemed applicable only to opposition parties
- Government officials acted as agents of BJP
Bhubaneswar, 12/11/2025:The Biju Janata Dal today alleged that the BJP misused government machinery and openly violated the Model Code of Conduct in its attempt to cross the electoral river in the Nuapada bye-election. Despite this, the BJD affirmed that its candidate Mrs. SnehanginiChhuria will emerge victorious.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan on Wednesday, senior party leader, Chief Whip and PAC member Smt. Pramila Mallik, former minister and PAC member Smt.Tukuni Sahu, and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ipsita Sahu presented a detailed list of irregularities and instances of misuse of official machinery during the Nuapada bye-election, describing them as a strangulation of democracy.
Smt. Pramila Mallik stated that the BJD had brought numerous instances of BJP’s violations of the code of conduct to the attention of the Chief Electoral Officer, which were also reported in the media. During the election campaign, BJP allegedly distributed sarees and cash, for which the BJD submitted documentary proof to the election authorities. She further added that the residence of former minister Shri Priti Ranjan Ghadai was raided without a search warrant, and an IT raid was conducted at the house of local BJD leader Shri Manoj Mishra. The helicopter of Naveen Patnaik was delayed for three hours. During the silent period, while opposition leaders had already left the constituency, BJP leaders stayed back and continued to distribute money. On polling day, BJP was reportedly campaigning inside booths. Despite submitting evidence-backed complaints to the election officials, BJD received no effective response. Even amid all these violations, the people of Nuapada have shown unwavering support for BJD. Therefore, Smt. Mallik asserted that when results are declared on the 14th, BJD candidate Smt. SnehanginiChhuria will undoubtedly win.
Smt. Tukuni Sahu remarked that in terms of both the misuse of official machinery and the violations of the election code of conduct, BJP had crossed all limits—amounting to the murder of democracy. Government officials on election duty behaved like BJP agents. At Booth No. 250, it was alleged that no matter which button voters pressed on the EVM, the vote went to the lotus symbol, leading to tension at the booth, but even that incident was suppressed. Upon close examination, she said, one can see that the claims of a free and fair election in Nuapada had become a farce.
Ipsita Sahu said that throughout the bye-election period, the district administration and police administration worked openly to ensure the ruling party’s victory, making this a dark chapter in the state’s electoral history. She pointed out that the serving DIG was sent on leave and replaced with IG Himanshu Lal, which was a deliberate plan to influence the election outcome. Shockingly, under Lal’s leadership, the entire police administration worked for the BJP. During the silent period, BJP workers allegedly distributed money under police protection. When BJD workers lodged complaints, instead of taking action against those distributing cash, the police detained the BJD workers themselves.
