Bhubaneswar, Nov. 11 -- Ahead of the Nuapada by-poll, former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Das President Naveen Patnaik on Monday hit out at the BJP-led state government alleging that MLAs and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from outside Nuapada are freely moving around and attempting to influence voters through unfair means.
Taking to a social media platform, Patnaik, whose party is waging a tough electoral battle against ruling BJP and Congress to retain the Assembly seat, charged that "serious violations are taking place during the legally mandated silence period - 36 hours before polling".
"The hallmark of a true democracy lies in the conduct of free and fair elections. As per the Election Commission's guidelines, ...