The Election Commission Monday issued a show cause notice to Odisha's Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak for making "objectionable statement" and violating the Model Code of Conduct while campaigning for a bypoll in Kandhamal.
The minister, while addressing a meeting at Kotagarh Sep 29, allegedly said that the local legislator, block development officer and other government employees belonged to the ruling party.
"We have issued a notice to the minister on the basis of a complaint lodged by a local leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)," district collector cum-district election officer N. Thirumala Naik told IANS.
The minister has been asked to explain, he said.
The minister could not be contacted for comment.
The bypoll to the Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat will be held Oct 15. It was necessitated following the death of ruling Biju Janata Dal's Hemendra Chandra Singh. The counting of votes will take place Oct 19.
The Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency comprising seven assembly segments is spread over four districts -- Kandhamal, Boudh, Nayagarh and Ganjam.
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