Of the six fatalities, two were reported from Murshidabad and one each from Cooch Behar, East Burdwan, Malda and Nadia.
Several people have also been injured, some critically, in clashes that have erupted across the state.
The number of the injured is yet to be ascertained.
Since the polling dates were announced on June 8, at least 25 people have been killed till date in election-related violence.
While reports of massive violence, bombing and gun- battle were being reported from different areas, the State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha remained missing from his office till 10.20 a.m. as polling began at 7.30 a.m.
Following massive criticisms, he finally arrived at his office in central Kolkata little after 10.20 a.m. and entered without answering the queries of mediapersons.
In a number of polling booths especially in Murshidabad and Cooch Behar districts, there was rampant looting of ballot boxes and ballot papers, as well as destruction.
In most places, central armed forces personnel were missing from the booths, leading to the unabted continuation of criminal activities with the state police personnel and polling personnel remaining mute spectators.
The state Election Commission and the police are yet to comment on the violence.
As per the announcement, voting for the panchayat elections at the pending places will take place on May 27. The counting of the votes will be held on May 28.
As per the announcement, the polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm on May 27, for which nominations can be filed by candidates between April 29 and May 2. However, candidates who had already filed their nominations earlier, need not file it again.
The final list of candidates will be released on May 5 after scrutiny on May 4. Candidates can withdraw their nominations on or before May 7.
Meanwhile, the notice for the elections will be published on April 26 by the Election Commission.
The voting for Panchayat polls in Odisha was held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and February 24, 2022.
Odisha went to the polls for a total of 853 zilla parishad seats, 91,916 wards and 6,794 panchayats in which the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had swept the polls with a landslide win.
Especially, the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which witnessed a surge in voting percentage but failed to acquire more number of seats, has started chalking out strategies for the Assembly elections with a view to secure more votes as well as increase the number of seats.
Meanwhile, the State leaders of the Saffron party have discussed with the party's Central leadership in New Delhi to prepare the future blueprints to ensure victory in the upcoming State elections.
BJP State general secretary and secretary met party national president JP Nadda on Saturday.
The State leaders also held discussions with Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bishweswar Tudu to prepare the poll strategy.
The major focus of Nadda during the discussion with the party's working team was on the Panchayat and Urban poll results and Mission 2024. While the saffron party was able to achieve 30 percent votes in the Panchayat polls, it attained 29 percent in Chairman elections, and 27 percent in elections for Councillor posts. The prominent leaders held discussions to prepare strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections to gain maximum.
The discussion centred around preparing the blueprint of Mission 2024, strengthening the party and leaders and workers working united. Moreover, the discussion also included preparing the roadmap for awakening the public against the ruling State government and spreading awareness about Modi government's achievements. It was decided at the meeting that the Central leadership will majorly focus on Odisha and, to implement the strategies and chalk out plans, Nadda will visit Odisha soon and motivate the workers to act upon it.
The leaders also visited senior party leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Naik, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi. It is also believed that the saffron party will change the LoP soon.
BJP's State President Samir Mohanty said, "We were called by the party National President, including the General Secretary. We had a fruitful discussion over party's plans for future strategies."
Meanwhile, party State general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, "The discussion was based on Mission 2024. We will bring all the party leaders and workers together to work for the party's betterment."
On the other hand, after the colossal debacle of Congress, demands for changing party's State leadership has gained momentum.
"The Pradesh Congress Committee president has filed his resignation to AICC which is temporarily managing the party in the State. We request Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and AICC to take the decision soon or else the party's condition will worsen with time," said Adhiraj Panigrahi, Congress MLA.
Meanwhile, though BJD's performance was stupendous in the Panchayat and Urban elections, party leaders have suggested not to get overconfident with the achievement.
"There is no feud among party leaders or workers. No one is interested to take the leadership as it is only Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who takes the decisions. CM has initiated steps to ensure victory in areas where the party candidates tasted failure," said BJD MLA Bhagirathi Sethi.
The deceased, Sumati Parida, was a resident of Padmapur area under Basudevpur block in Bhadrak district. Her husband Ramakant Parida had hanged himself to death on March 13.
The family members were busy observing the tenth day rituals of Ramakant when they received the sad news of Sumati’s death today.
The passing away of the couple in a span of ten days has left the whole village mourning.
The couple had taken the extreme step following the acrimonious remarks hurled at them by the supporters of the victorious candidate.
Sumati had contested as an independent candidate for Samiti member post from Padmapur Panchayat in the recently held Panchayat polls.
On March 13, the winning candidate was taking out a victory procession in the village. When the procession was passing in front of Ramakant’s house, a few supporters allegedly passed comments on the former, who was sitting outside his house then.
Exasperated at this, Ramakant scolded his wife over her decision to contest the elections.
Matters turned ugly when Sumati consumed poison and became serious. Seeing her condition, a traumatised Ramakant hanged himself to death.
After preliminary treatment, Sumati was shifted from Bhadrak DHH to the SCBMCH. While undergoing treatment, she succumbed today.
“We were informed today morning that she had suffered a heart stroke last night. On hearing this, we came rushing to the hospital only to hear that she was no more,” said Ratikant Parida, a relative of the deceased couple.
Saibani Mallick has been elected unanimously as the chairperson of the Sorada Panchayat Samiti, which has 26 panchayats.
The election for the chairperson, the top post, which was reserved for Scheduled Tribes Women, was held on Saturday.
Earlier, she was the chairperson of the samiti in 2012 and 2017 after winning from the tribal-dominated Gangapur panchayat. This time, she contested from the Bhagabanpur panchayat.
Mallick, a four-time samiti member, is the only woman in Ganjam, which has 22 panchayat samitis, to become the chairperson for the third time, an official said.
The septuagenarian's political journey started in 1993 when she was elected as a ward member in her village. In 2002, she was nominated as a samiti member for the first time in Gangapur panchayat, he added.
Senior Congress leader, Santosh Singh Saluja on Thursday alleged that the BJD is indulging in such corrupt practices to show majority in Block chairman elections. The ruling party is offering Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh to each independent candidate and also candidates backed by BJP and the Congress, he alleged.
“The election for 314 Block chairman posts is scheduled to be held on March 12. The earlier elections were held without party symbols and the candidates were backed by various political parties. The BJD has started horse trading and it is now offering Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh to elected candidates in order to enlist their support. The ruling party just wants to show its majority by trying to win 250 to 300 posts,” said Saluja.
The Congress leader further stated that such type of horse-trading is not at all healthy for any democracy.
BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan alleged that the ruling party leaders are trying to influence the Samiti members by any means.
“Since the mandate in the Panchayat polls has not been completely in favour of the BJD, its leaders are making every attempt to influence the Block chairman elections by muscle and money. BJP will continue its fight to protect democracy,” said Harichandan.
Responding to the BJP and Congress allegations, senior BJD leader Pratap Deb said, “The Opposition parties are trying to use media to spread misinformation. All such allegations of horse-trading are completely baseless.”
The tribal community members said they had been eagerly waiting for the moment when they would ink their left index finger. The third phase of the three-tier Panchayat elections, which is all set to be held across the State on Sunday, has brought them the opportunity.
The area was earlier rocked by Maoist activities. The Red Rebels made the innocent villagers dance to their tunes by intimidating them. The ultras would issue diktats in village meetings asking the residents to stay away from elections. With the passage of the time and the government’s constant efforts, there is no longer the fear of Ultras in the locality.
As such, the villagers are now very happy that they are again going to participate in the election.
“We are happy that we will vote. We will choose the best candidates so that our sufferings will end. We have been living with several problems for long. While we have been deprived of good road connectivity and clean drinking water, none of us have been provided pucca houses. We hope the days of sufferings will end soon,” said an exited young voter.
Seconding him, another villager joined in and said they held a village meeting where they decided to elect the best candidates.
The village head, a Dongria Kondh, is also hopeful that things would change for better. “We will vote those Samiti, Ward members and Sarpanch who will do something for us,” he said.
In the past, the villagers had gheraoed the Block development office after they found plaques fixed on the outer walls of their houses, declaring them as beneficiaries of the Biju Pucca Ghar yojana.
Niyamgiri area comprises 11 Wards and as many as 1,619 voters will cast vote on Sunday.
Notably, the ongoing Panchayat election is being conducted in five phases. While two phases have already been completed, the remaining three phases will be held on February 20, 22 and 24.
To feel the political heat on ground zero, OTV team visited the villages bordering the southern state.
The sun was beating down little harshly when the team began the journey on the Phagunasineri-Phatusineri road. Villages and hamlets line either sides of the stretch. The team stopped off at a few villages to get a feel of the mood of the villagers about the ensuing elections.
It is worth mentioning here that Andhra Pradesh had conducted Pancahayt elections in Kotia Panchayat in February last year. It had then divided the contentious Panchayat into three parts. With an aim to send out a clear and loud message to AP, this time all the political parties in Odisha have joined hands.
Though they had decided to select consensus candidates for the posts of Zilla Parishad, Sarpanch, Samiti and Ward members, it did not pan out as exactly as they had thought of. However, they were partly successful in fielding Samiti members unanimously.
As the team entered markets and villages like Kandha Sahi, they were greeted by candidates with folded hands in posters and banners which were put up everywhere, from shops to outer walls of all the houses.
The team came to know that two women have been pitted against one another for Pottangi Zilla Parishad zone-1 seat. They are Mamata Jani, an all party candidate and Tikai Gemel, an independent one. While Mamata's banners and posters show leaders of all the parties, Tikai is riding on dynasty, being the wife of former MLA Chandra Santa's grandson.
Mamata said she knew it very well that Kotia is an indivisible part of Odisha. "Since all the parties have chosen me, I will never let them down. I will fight for Kotia," she said. Similarly, Tikai said, "Kotia is my birth place and this gives me the right to fight."
This time, seven candidates are vying for Sarpanch post in Kotia Panchayat. They all have one and only one objective to serve the Panchayat in a way people will forget AP, provided they are voted to power. "If I win, my first priority will be to provide the benefits of government schemes and yojanas at their door step. This will help dissuade people from inclining towards AP," observed Dillip Kumar Pangi, a Sarpanch candidate. Two other Sarpanch candidates, Binod Pangi and Liu Gemel echoed the same sentiments.
Thereafter, our team interacted with the villagers to find out their mood. "The Odisha government has constructed roads and buildings but that will hardly solve our problems. We want work so that we can earn something. The government is doing nothing to provide us jobs" rued a villager.
As of now, the Kotia border dispute is sub-judice in Supreme Court. Our team spoke to some villagers to a get a clearer picture of their allegiance--Odisha or AP. "I want to be with both the states since that will mean facilities from both sides. I also vote in elections conducted both the States," said Phatusineri villager.
When we asked a resident of Madkar village as to which state he belonged, pat came the reply that he lives in a disputed area. "I want to live in the disputed area, instead of one single State. My fellow villagers also want the same," he said.
The wish of the villagers of Tadibalsa near the Zero Point (the meeting point of Odisha and AP) left our team perplexed. They openly stated that they don't want to participate in the ensuing Panchayat election conducted by the Odisha government. "The villagers have decided to stay away from the election. They wish to remain with AP because they are getting all kind of facilities from that government," said a youth.
Our team came across with another instance that speaks volume about the seriousness of the Odisha government to win hearts of people living in the disputed area. They found that a plaque of Odisha government lying on the ground at the Zero Point while a massive hoarding of the AP government with CM Jagan Reddy’s photograph dominating the skyline at a distance. And, despite being the election time, there were no presence of the Odisha police. In contrast, the AP police were found guarding the check post jealously.
Not only did she decide to bet her luck in politics, she is also seen trying to entice the voters into a game of probabilities. However, unlike her, the voters stand to lose nothing if fortunes didn’t smile on them.
In a last ditch effort to woo votes as campaigning for the first phase of Panchayat polls end this evening, Nayak, who is contesting from Kuhura Gram Panchayat under Kalahandi’s Golamunda block hit upon the novel idea.
She began distributing lottery tickets during her last phase campaigning, announcing that the lucky winners will be announced if she won the election.
Naik, an independent candidate who is contesting on ‘Open Umbrella’ symbol, has reportedly announced to distribute 1200 prizes to an equal number of winners in the event of her victory.
Sources said the first prize winner will get gold weighing 10 grams, the second prize winner will get a refrigerator, two third prize winners will be getting 10 grams of silver each while two washing machines are up for the grabs for each of the two winners for the fourth prize.
The consolation prizes include 1000 cotton sarees for the women as well.
This is not all.
The consolation prizes also include 50 sports jerseys to players in five villages, five footballs, five cricket bats and an equal number of cricket balls.
Speaking to OTV, Naik said, “I have been a daughter-in-law to this village since the past 22 years and I haven’t seen any development in all these years. I want to make this GP a model Gram Panchayat by connecting it with roads and developing the standard of living of the people.”
“And as far as the lottery is concerned, I am paying everything from my own pocket. If I win, I intend to reward the people of my GP for their love and affection,” she said.
Campaigning for the first phase of Panchayat polls will come to an end on Monday evening at Junagarh and Golamunda Blocks in Kalahandi before these Blocks go to polls on February 16.
“Initially, the government had announced that schools will reopen for physical classes for Class I to VI students from February 14, and later rescheduled it to February 28. The directive was meant for government-run schools. Since I study in a private school, I have no clue when my school will reopen. We all are are in a dilemma,” said Jigyasu, a Class VII student of a private school.
While deferring the dates for the reopening of schools, the government has also reportedly not specifically informed when the pre-schools will reopen for kids.
“I was very excited when the government declared that the schools will reopen on February 14. But the date has been rescheduled. I have no idea when the schools will reopen for us,” said Bibhansu, a pre-school student.
Speaking on the issue, president of Utkal Guardians’ Association, Krushna Chandra Pati, said, “Booths have been put up in Government-run schools for the Panchayat elections. However, private schools are not used for poll purpose. What will the students of private schools do? Will they be going to schools from tomorrow, or not?.
“We, the parents and guardians, are now in a state of great confusion. The government must clear the air,” he added.
The announcement about the reopening of pre-school to Class VI after a gap of two years had generated a huge amount of excitement among children, guardians and school authorities alike. Apart from sanitising classrooms, face masks and hand sanitisers were kept in readiness at schools. However, the suspense still continues whether the private schools will resume from tomorrow.
Rashmi Pandey, principal of Sai Angan pre-school, said, “We have adopted all the safety protocols. Closure of schools will complete two years in March. Therefore, we were happy that students would come for a few days in this session.”
Biswanath Behera, secretary, Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Dhenkanal, said, “There is no word from the government on the reopening of private schools. We expect the schools to reopen from February 28, but we would have been happy if the government had been clear on it.”
The purpose of the crackdown is to make the forthcoming three-tier elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions free from any untoward incident.
A statement issued by the Odisha police said that during the strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct a total of 113686.19 litres of liquor has been seized from across 34 police districts between January 19 and February 6, 2022.
As many as 27 illegal firearms were also seized during enforcement drives while a total of 1492 warrantees were rounded up by the police, stated the police statement addressed to the State Election Commission.
Similarly, 471.86 grams of narcotics drugs were seized by the inspection teams during the drive.
Giving the break-up, the police said more than 70 thousand litres of liqour have been seized from Balasore making it the highest among all police districts. Similarly, out of the total 27, a maximum of 8 arms were seized from Rourkela Police district limits.
Likewise, 201 warrants have been executed in Balasore, the highest among all police districts followed by Ganjam (171).
The State Excise Department has urged people with any complaint on illegal liquor to file their grievance on Toll-Free No. 18003456713. The control rooms set up at the district-level will help redress the grievance.
The Odisha government has already imposed a ban on sale and distribution of liquor 48 hours before the commencement of voting.
The restriction will come into force two days before the polling and remain effective throughout the voting day and till the next day during each of the five phases of the election.
The three-tier Panchayat elections in Odisha will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24, 2022. The counting of votes, which will be done at all Block headquarters, will be held on February 26, 27 and 28.
Here is a contestant in the fray in Rayagada district who has listed out his poll promises to work for the development of people in writing, that too on a stamp paper, while seeking votes from the electorate.
Sources said the residents of Kantabanji village in Kodipari Panchayat of Rayagada district recently warned to boycott the Panchayat elections alleging that they have been deprived of even basic amenities like drinking water and roads.
The villagers accused, from the local authorities to top administration in the district, of not taking sincere steps in addressing their issues. They also alleged lack of provision for houses under government schemes and denial of old-age pension to them.
With elections around the corner, when the villagers announced to boycott the polls, Zilla Parishad candidate Rinki Nayak who is fighting as an independent candidate came forward with assurances that she would take all possible steps to resolve the grievances of the people.
To drive home her point, Rinki reportedly laid down her promises in writing on a stamp paper. The local residents meanwhile have announced that another meeting will be held to decide on the poll boycott call.
Congress meanwhile has said that it will take active steps to resolve the issues faced by the villagers.
"Government welfare schemes seem non-existent for us. When elections arrive, leaders throng in multitude to our village with rosy promises but as soon as the polls end, no one ever bothers to come," rued an elderly resident Krikit Majhi.
Similarly, ZP candidate Rinki Nayak said, "I have requested the villagers not to reject their right to vote. It does not matter whether I lose or win, but I will always stand by the people through their thick and thin."
Apart from three major parties, BJD, BJP, and Congress, there are contenders from JMM, CPI(M) and independents. The major face in the seat is former Raghunathpali MLA, Halu Mundari who is running for ZP seat from BJD this time around.
Speaking about his campaign, Mundari said, “I cannot say much about other party candidates, but I will definitely win this seat because of our leader CM Naveen Patnaik’s welfare schemes.”
Now coming back to coastal Odisha, Marshaghai Zone-24 in Kendrapara too is witnessing a boil in politics as nine candidates have filed their nominations for the Zilla Parishad seat. A BJP bastion, Marshaghai Zone-24 has been led by a saffron party candidate, Prajesh Ranjan Nayak since 2017 polls.
Nayak who now aims to repeat his past result says, “The election will be fought between the BJP and BJD. Congress does not have any existence here. This seat has been under the power of BJP, so it will be easy for me to win this time too.”
A very similar kind of situation greets the voters of the Rayagada’s Kashipur Zone-B Zilla Parishad seat which is reserved for the women candidates from the Scheduled Cast. As per reports, no less than 10 SC women are running for the ZP seat, where highly educated independent candidates are set to give a tough challenge to major political parties.
Rinki Nayak, an independent candidate running for the seat said, “There is no bridge here for the people to commute. The villagers have to risk their lives by crossing the river to reach other places. It is too unfortunate that despite the local MLA hailing from the nearby village, this area remains undeveloped.”
Not only in ZPs but there are Gram panchayats where multiple candidates have filed their nominations for Sarpanch position that the voters are in a fix who to chose.
Jhankarpalli Gram Panchayat in Sambalpur sports record number of contenders for Sarpanch with 27 candidates in the fray. The seat was earlier reserved for SC women but this time around, the seat has been made unreserved opening scope for all to try their luck.
Similarly, Lochapada Panchayat under Kukudakhandi block near Berhampur is in the news because a total of 22 candidates are running for Sarpanch and Samiti member positions in the GP. While 11 persons are eyeing the Sarpanch position, the same numbers of aspirants are running for Samiti Member.
The running of so many candidates have not only made the door-to-door campaigning an intense affair for the voters, some also feel that people will ultimately get confused in casting their votes.
A voter in Lochapada said, “When I look around the posters and banners hung around the area, I get overwhelmed. I am sure, people will definitely get a hard time remembering all these names and the symbols associated with them. It will be very difficult to cast their votes”
The three-tier Panchayat polls will be held in Odisha from February 16, 2022. The polling will be held with a gap of one day between each date on February 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24.
Sample this. A few weeks ago, Srikant Panda never thought he would survive, but thanks to the unwavering support and love from his co-villagers, he is breathing a new life.
A resident of Bentapada Gram Panchayat in Athagarh Block of Cuttack district, Srikant recently suffered a lethal cerebral stroke and battled for life on the hospital bed.
With an ailing father and sister back in the family, Srikant however found much affection and support from his fellow villagers that helped him defy death and bounce back.
After recuperating from the health turmoil, Srikant felt so much obliged for the help from his well wishers in the crucial hours that he decided to dedicate his life for the welfare of the people in his locality. Recently Srikant filed nomination for Sarpanch post in his Gram Panchayat.
"I will never be able to repay the debt of the love and affection I received from my fellow villagers. I will stand with them as their representative and work for their welfare in every way possible," said an emotional Srikant who is on the campaign trail in his Panchayat these days.
This year, not only newbies in politics, people from diverse background, professions and age groups have plunged into the poll fray to act as a good change-makers for the society.
From foreign returnees to sportsperson and engineers to priest, here are the tales of some candidates who are scripting inspiring stories by registering their names to face the mandate of people.
After 20 years of living in London, Madhusudan Patra of Brahmanbati Panchayat under Kantapada Teshil in Cuttack district quit his job and returned to join the poll fray as a Sarpanch candidate. Patra's homecoming with an aim to serve the people and transform his village into a smart village is truly inspiring.
Elections in Brahmanbati GP is definitely set for a big showdown because giving tough competition to Madhusudan is Sanjay Kumar Routray, a M.A degree holder. Both Madhusudan and Sanjay have intensified their campaign and are reaching out to seek public support.
Malay Kumar Jena, an engineer graduate, has quit his job and joined politics to serve the people. Jena along with his supporters is now campaigning door to door in Puri's Pirajapur panchayat as a Sarpanch candidate.
Similarly is the story of another techie, Rashmi Ranjan Baliarsingh, the BJP candidate for Zone-4 of Kanas block in Puri. Leaving a lucrative job behind, Rashmi, the son of former Satyabadi MLA Rama Ranjan Baliarsingh, claims that he has stepped into politics solely for genuine public service.
Nagendra Kumar Singh, a doctor, has also filed his nomination for Saranpach post Of Nabara Panchayat under Basta Block in Balasore district. Singh's campaigning is quite unique as he not only asking for votes from going door to door but he is also administering healthcare to voters wherever he finds anyone sick during his door-to-door campaigning.
Another Engineering scholar Chitta Ranjan Nayak, has also filed his papers for Sarpanch post of Baidyanath Panchayat under Raruna block in Mayurbhanj district. Leaving behind a lucrative job, this 25-yr old has joined the politics to serve his people and villagers.
National level Gold-medalist in Kick boxing and Rugby, Kashinath Sethy has also filed his nomination paper as a Zilla Parishad member from Bahanaga block in Balsore district. Sethy says he wants to develop his village and work for the betterment of the people which inspired him to politics.
Priti Krishna, the sarpanch candidate of Uttarkula panhayat under Brinjharpur, Jajpur has not let pregnancy to keep her away from her duties and responsibilities. The mom-to-be is in no mood to take leave and is campaigning with full heartiness and vigour.
Interestingly, Chitta Ranjan Mishra, a priest by profession has also jumped into the poll arena to serve people. Mishra has filed nominations for Samiti Member from Suhagpur panchayat under Katapur in Puri district.
Notably, the three-tier panchayat polls in the state will be held in five phases from February 16 to February 24.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
Out of the total 298 independent Zilla Parishad candidates, a majority are these disgruntled BJD leaders who are believed to be capable enough to throw a spanner in the party’s plan to capture all the 852 Zilla Parishad seats.
Let’s list up the disgruntled BJD leaders who may upset the party’s plans. In Nabarangpur district, the most prominent face is Dibyadan Suna. Being a BJD loyalist and party Nabarangpur district vice president, he had been an aspirant for Zone No-I of the Zilla Parishad. But the party denied a ticket to him and has instead fielded someone else.
Suna is now contesting as an independent candidate for Zilla Parishad member post of Zone No-I. “It was when the party ticket was denied that my followers stood by me and asked me to contest as an independent candidate,” Suna said.
The BJD is also going to face trouble in Kashipur block of Rayagada district. The party’s three disappointed candidates are contesting for as many Zilla Parishad seats in Kashipur Block.
In Malkangiri, the situation is no different for the BJD either. Balenki Gopal, who was the former vice-chairman of Malkangiri Block, had been an aspirant for Zilla Parishad member post of Zone No-3. The party had also promised her of a ticket.
But in the last moment, she was denied the ticket, forcing her to contest as an independent candidate. “The women in my village are campaigning for me. They are visiting from door to door. From the response I am receiving, I am confident that I will win the election,” maintained Balenki.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is also struggling with dissension over ticket distribution. After being denied a party ticket, Bhubaneswar Dwibedy is contesting as an independent candidate for the post of Zilla Parishad member from Zone No-III.
“The people of five Panchayats regard me more as a social worker than a leader. I have stood by them through thick and thin. And this is my strength. I am contesting the election on three issues- education, health, and road connectivity,” Dwivedi said.
Why has the BJD had more dissidents than any other party? Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu has the answer to this question. “Lured by promises of seats, leaders from other parties had crossed over to the BJD. When it came to ticket distribution, the party failed in adjusting its own leaders, leading to dissension. The unhappy leaders are now contesting as independent candidates. So the party is destined to experience damages in the coming election,” Tudu opined, adding that the dissension over ticket distribution in his party is negligible.
Former OPCC president Jayadev Jena had a different take on the independent candidates. “If the candidates contesting independently win, it will cause trouble for both the BJD and the BJP. In that case, the Congress is sitting pretty,” Jena said.
When asked, BJD MP Subash Singh pooh-poohed the assumption that the independent candidates may make matters worse for the party. “We have never done so extensive exercises before as we are doing this time. We are fielding candidates after many deliberations and taking the opinions of people into consideration. There is no problem for our party,” Singh said.
The deceased’s family members said that he had been undergoing treatment for cold and related symptoms at Ghatagaon government hospital. When his condition deteriorated on Saturday, he was referred to the Keonjhar district headquarters hospital (DHH). However, on his way to the DHH, he breathed his last.
The deceased’s son, Sudharanjan Singh, said his father had been suffering from cold, body ache and headache for some days. “Initially we treated him at home. When he did not show any improvement, we admitted him to the Ghatagaon government hospital. He showed signs of recovery and was all set to be discharged from the hospital on Saturday,” said Singh.
“As we were preparing for his discharge from the hospital he complained of chest pain at around 10 am. He was immediately put on oxygen support. Later, the doctors referred him to Keonjhar DHH. While being taken to Keonjhar DHH, he passed away,” Singh added.
As the news broke, a pall of gloom descended on the deceased leader’s village. Local leaders, villagers, friends and relatives thronged the deceased’s house to pay their last respect.
As per reports, the primary school at Bijipur village was closed two years ago under the merger policy of the State Government and merged with the school at nearby Sana Adhanga village.
Protesting the move of the State Government, the villagers have pledged to boycott the three-tier panchayat polls beginning February 16.
Though we have been making the demand for the reopening of the village school for a long time, it fell on deaf ears. Hence, staying away from the polling booth and election fray was the only option for us to make ourselves heard, said the residents of Bijipur village.
A villager of Bijipur said, “The village school was closed under the merger policy due to which our children are at home for the last two years. They are deprived of their right to education. Though the villagers apprised their problem to the BDO, BEO, Sub-Collector and recently submitted a grievance in the office of Chief the Minister, no steps have been taken to reopen the school.”
“As per the merger policy, the school should be situated within 1 kilometre but the Sana Adhanga school is more than 1.5 kilometres from the village. The village school had 37 enrolled students. Despite that, it was closed by the administration,” alleged another villager.
“The village school has been shut and now our children are forced to travel around kilometres to reach the school in the nearby village. Therefore, we have decided to peacefully boycott the elections as a mark of protest,” said another villager.
But this year, there is optimism in the people of the Swabhiman Anchal for the ensuing panchayat polls. Not only the candidates but also the voters have also come up with enthusiasm to take part in the rural polls.
While candidates have been actively engaged in campaigning activities while adhering to the Covid protocols laid down by the State Election Commission (SEC), people of the region are awaiting for the D-day to exercise their franchise.
Rajeswari Khilar, a candidate for Samiti Sabhya of Jodamba panchayat assert, “Though the Odisha Government has started several welfare projects in our region, still there are many aspects which are to be developed. Many villages are yet to get road, health, drinking and electricity facilities. If I win the polls, I will work for the development on these areas.”
Balram Golari, a sarpanch candidate of Gajalmamudi panchayat said, “As the region was dominated by the Maoists, elections were not conducted here earlier and the people were unaware of the poll process. But now, people are happy and excited as they will be taking part in the rural polls this time. I will try to apprise the government about the basic issues faced by the people in the region if I am voted to power by the residents of the panchayat.”
Once a Naxal hotbed, the situation in Swabhiman Anchal changed after the deployment of BSF and police in various places of the area. Besides, several developmental activities including the opening of the Gurupriya bridge in the last few years also brought a ray of hope for the people of the cut-off region of Malkangiri district.
People of nine panchayats of Swabhiman Anchal under the Chitrakonda block of the district will cast vote and elect their representatives on February 24.
An FIR pertaining to the disappearance of the aspirant has been filed by the president of BJP’s Kalimela Block at the Kalimela Police station.
As per reports, Rina Kabasi (22) had filed her nomination papers for Zone-2 of Kalimela Zilla Parishad with the backing of the BJP. She allegedly went missing following the scrutiny of her nomination papers, which she reportedly had passed.
However, her name went missing from the final list of candidates published by the Sub-Collector’s office on Tuesday raising doubts that she had been coerced to withdraw her nomination.
Speaking to reporters, a local BJP leader said, “We had fielded Rina Kabasi, an educated tribal girl from the Zone 2 in Kalimela block, whose nomination papers were also validated in subsequent scrutiny.”
“Perturbed by her popularity, the BJD goons abducted and forced her to withdraw the nomination,” he alleged.
However, the response of the BJD to the allegations is yet to be received.
It is pertinent to mention here that the three-tier Panchayat elections in Odisha will be held in five phases starting from February 16, 2022. Voting will be held on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and February 24, 2022. The polling will begin at 7 am and continue till 1 pm.
Odisha will go to the polls for a total of 853 Zilla Parishad seats, 91,916 Wards and 6,794 Panchayats. Candidates will be able to contest the elections with party symbols.
As per Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra, CM Naveen Patnaik has directed the officials to initiate all steps to flatten the third wave curve without affecting the normal life and livelihood of the people.
Accordingly, the CS Mahapatra yesterday had quoted the words of CM Patnaik during his press briefing.
"The number of fresh cases in the State has stabilised during the last couple of days. The number of active cases has also started decreasing in some big cities of the country. Moreover, hospitalisation of patients is also very less as patients are having mild symptoms," said the CM and he in the same vein added that If people cooperate, we can fight the situation without affecting livelihood.
While urging people in the State to adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour, CS Suresh Mahapatra reiterated what CM Naveen Patnaik had said the day before.
As per Suresh Mahapatra, only 2 per cent require hospitalisation in the third wave as against 10-12 percent during the second and first wave. The ICU and oxygen requirement is also comparatively less. He further emphasised that at present only 10 percent of hospital beds are occupied in the State.
Lastly, the CS had added that the numbers will go up if we do not adhere to the COVID appropriate behaviour.
Are The Number Low In Odisha? A Reality Check
As per the State Health Department data, last Thursday the daily Test Positivity Rate (TPR) in the State had been measured at 12.4 percent. This Thursday (on Jan 20), the TPR has been measured at 13.9 percent.
It has been observed that the TPR in the State during the last 8-days has exhibited a zigzag graph.
The WHO View
Going by the WHO epidemiological point of view, the high percent positive indicates that the State needs more testing, and the time is not appropriate to relax the restrictions imposed to reduce the coronavirus transmission.
Moreover, WHO has also observed that a high percentage of positive tests suggests high coronavirus infection rates. The top health body says that this high test positivity is due to high transmission in the community.
And the WHO prescription for the 'high percent positivity' has been to add more restrictions to slow down the spread of disease.
Is Community Transmission On In Odisha?
A glance at the weekly positivity rate across the districts in the State tells a big tale. In the week ending on Jan 18, as many as 27 districts in Odisha have a weekly positivity rate (WPR) of over 5 percent.
On the week ended on Jan 13, the number of districts having a weekly TPR of over 5 percent in the State was 17.
Moreover, when 10 districts had a weekly TPR of over 10 percent in the week ended on Jan 13, the number has now zoomed up top touch 13. Also, as against 7 districts were having weekly TPR of more than 5 percent in the week ended on Jan 13, the tally has now doubled to 14.
Here's A Glance Of District Wise TPR
Besides, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Sonepur and Dhenkanal have a WTPR of over 9 percent. Even, Malkangiri has WTPR of 5.68 percent.
WHO Rule
As per the WHO guidelines, the Covid scenario in the districts of Khordha, Balasore and Sundargarh is super explosive. Because 1 in every three tests happens to be positive here. And these districts need a near double number of tests vis-a-vis the current daily tests to detect the positives at the earliest and isolate them to break the transmission cycle.
Odisha Vs Other States
Delhi: Since Delhi has WTPR of around 30 percent, the state government there had imposed a weekend shutdown, besides the night curfew.
Tamil Nadu: A high of 18 districts in the State have a WTPR of over 20 percent. The state government has enforced the Sunday shutdown along with the night curfew.
Jharkhand: A total of 6 districts has a WTPR of over 10 percent. The State government has ordered the closure of all shops at 5 pm every day.
Rajasthan: Eight districts have a weekly TPR of over 20 percent. The state government has imposed a weekend curfew.
Significantly, CM Naveen Patnaik in his review meeting had mentioned the instances of 'big cities'. And the big cities that now show a drop in caseload are none other than Delhi, Chennai etc. But these big cities had enforced stricter measures to flatten the curve.
Why Odisha Holds Back?
Like last year, the State this year could have gone for at least a Sunday shutdown in the high-burdened districts. But given that the State government has decided to hold Panchayat elections next month, it now cannot impose a weekend shutdown to stop the transmission of the virus.
After all elections and weekend shutdowns cannot go hand in hand, and will then be labelled as doublespeak - exactly this is what has prevented weekend restrictions in Odisha, despite brisk transmission in many districts.
The SEC has recommended the School and Mass Education Department to suspend Bikash Dash, the Principal of Tarini Mahavidyalaya (College) at Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district over poll code violation. This apart, the Election Commission has asked the district Collector to register a case against the principal under Section 188 of the IPC.
Taking strong cognizance of presence of the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Salipur, Prasanta Majhi during the event, the SEC has recommended the Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately suspend the police officer and place him at the Police Headquarters.
Both the recommendations have been made by the SEC based on a report by the Kendrapara district Collector. On Monday, a video showing a meeting being organised on the premises of the college went viral on social media platforms. Sources said the meeting was held to canvas for the elections to Gadamaricha Gram Panchayat.
Even though the video showed hundreds of people participating in the meeting, SDPO Majhi claimed that it was a family function and denied any violation of the model code of conduct. Soon after the telecast of the news, the administration had ordered a probe into the incident.
According to reports, a banner was seen on Thursday in Das Sahi's Ward No. 1 which stated that the villagers will not cast their votes in favour of any party candidate in the upcoming elections if a road was not constructed in the area.
Tired of the apathy by public representatives, the people of Das Sahi alleged that the politicians make promises before every election that they will construct the road but forget it as soon as the elections are over. And in the meantime, the absence of a motorable road in the area continues to cause hardships for the residents.
“Every time we raise the demand for a proper road, the politicians promise they will construct it if they were voted to power. But they never keep their words. Owing to this pathetic condition of road, we are not able to avail ambulance services in time,” claimed a resident of Das Sahi.
“This time we have decided not to allow any politician to enter our village. They are not welcome here. We are facing much hardship due to lack of proper road connectivity. If the politicians come to ask for votes, we will ask them to construct the road first,” added another resident.
The notification:
The candidates can file their nominations for Sarpanchs, Samiti members and Zilla Parishad member posts from January 17 to January 21 while the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on January 22.
The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers till January 25 while the final list of candidates will be published on the same day, read the notification.
The election for the posts of Panchayat Samiti vice-chairperson and Zilla Parishad vice-president will be conducted on March 23 and 25. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will remain in force from today till February 28 throughout the State.
The Panchayat polls will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. The counting of votes and declaration of results will be done at all the block levels on February 26, 27, and 28.
Around 2.79 crore voters across the State will exercise their franchise to elect 91,913 Ward members, 6,794 Sarpanchs, 6,793 Panchayat Samiti members, and 853 Zilla Parishad members. The voting will commence at 7 am and continue till 1 pm.
On the other hand, the State government on Wednesday issued guidelines for the conduct of Panchayat polls keeping in mind the rising cases of Covid-19.
As per the directions of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), only door-to-door campaigning, with not more than five people including the candidate, is allowed. No physical rally of political parties or probable candidates or any other group related to the election would be allowed to campaign. Instead, the candidates have been advised to campaign over social or electronic media.
Covid positive candidates have been restricted from campaigning. Such candidates can campaign through electronic media only.
As per a notification issued by the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, as many as 15 posts out of the 30 Zilla Parishad chairman posts have been reserved for women candidates.
Similarly, out of the 15 Zilla Parishad chairman posts reserved for women, three have been kept for candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category while four seats have been reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.
Apart from the reservation for women candidates, two ZP chairman posts have been reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates and three for Scheduled Tribe candidates.
The posts of ZP chairman in four districts-- Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Boudh, Bhadrak and Jajpur have been reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
Likewise, the Zilla Parishad chairman posts in seven districts--Kandhamal, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Rayagada, and Sundargarh have been reserved for candidates from Scheduled Tribe category, as per the order of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department.
However, politics has heated up in the State as the funds were released today at a time when different political parties are bracing up for the upcoming Panchayat Polls.
As per reports, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik distributed the BPGY assistance to around 31 lakh beneficiaries, through virtual mode today. The estimated expenses under this scheme are pegged at Rs 1,444 crore from the government exchequer. The funds were directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
However, political heat has gained momentum as the Odisha government has kick-started the fund distribution programme while different political parties are prepping up for the upcoming Panchayat polls.
The Opposition political units have alleged that the Ministers and MLAs of the ruling BJD are putting up posters of CM Patnaik at houses of the beneficiaries even as the model code of conduct may come into force anytime soon. Taking a dig at such a move, the Opposition has lashed out at the BJD government stating it as a political gimmick to allure voters.
Several MLAs and party workers of BJD including State Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera, were found putting up posters with Patnaik's picture after distribution of the funds.
BJP has sought answers from the BJD on 8 different questions and alleged massive irregularities in the distribution of funds to beneficiaries.
"The ruling party has conducted the programme only to gain publicity but this won't help any beneficiary. The Centre had allotted funds for house construction under PMAY scheme, but instead of allotting houses, they are distributing funds for repairing. The government will ruin the government treasury funds," said Golak Mohapatra, BJP General Secretary.
Meanwhile, Congress Spokesperson Debashis Patnaik said, "This move of Odisha government is to influence the voters. It can be clearly stated as a 'bribe' to voters to purchase their votes. Why did the government release the funds while the Panchayat poll is inching closer?"
However, BJD MLA Parshuram Dhada said, "Opposition always opposes any work done by the government. The funds released to the beneficiaries are for house repairing of poor people in rural areas."
Though the dates for the crucial rural and urban body elections are still to be announced, they are expected to be held earlier this year.
“Life is certainly more important than elections. Odisha is witnessing a continuous surge in Covid-19 cases and the virus is gradually spreading its tentacle across the State. As per the scientists, virologists and doctors, the pandemic situation is going to be dangerous in the near future,” said Mishra.
“Considering the unprecedented pandemic situation, Congress demands the postponement of the upcoming Panhayat and Municipal elections in the State until the third wave is under control,” said Mishra adding that he will soon write to the Election Commissioner on the party’s stand.
Mishra also said that various tribal and Other Backward Class (OBC) forums are up in arms against the BJD-led State government for the withdrawal of reservations in the upcoming three-tier Panchayat elections in the State.
“BJD can’t impose its decision on the people amid the pandemic surge and political turmoil across the State. The demands of the protesting tribals and OBCs should be addressed before taking any decision regarding the conduct of the upcoming elections,” he said.
A delegation of the party, led by the president of the Bhubaneswar district OBC Morcha, Upendra Bhanja met the ADM of Bhubaneswar and submitted a 7-point demand letter for the Governor of Odisha, on Friday.
As per the saffron party, the OBCs represent almost 2.5 crore (54%) population of the State. “While the representatives from the category enjoyed 27% reservation in the last five Panchayat elections, the Odisha government’s exclusion of the OBCs from the reservation pool this time has hurt their interests,” Bhanja told reporters.
He said the delegation came to submit the party’s demand letter on the State government’s blatant negligence to the OBC community. “OBCs constitute 54 percent of the Odisha population. The government cannot simply overlook their interests,” he added.
“Odisha government should have moved to the Supreme Court after the Orissa High Court rejected its plea for OBC reservation in Panchayat elections. But it did not. The government wants to keep the OBCs away from the Panchayat polls by showing the High Court’s 50 percent reservation rule,” the BJP leader stated.
The party also raised questions on the effectiveness of the State OBC Commission and termed it ‘a failure’ which could not put the interests of the OBCs in the front.
It is pertinent to mention here that the cap on total reservation has been marked by the Supreme Court at 50 percent.
Since the candidates contesting for Ward members, Samiti members and Sarpanchs can’t use party symbols, the alternative symbols have been finalized. As many as 15 symbols have been allotted for Ward member contestants. Similarly, for the candidates who will fight for Sarpanch posts, 32 symbols have been issued. For Samiti member posts, 19 symbols have been issued.
However, the candidates who will vie for Zilla Parishad member posts can contest with party’s symbols. The independent candidates will choose from among 19 symbols like ‘bed’, ‘boy’, ‘girl’, ‘bucket’ etc. issued by the Odisha State Election Commission.
This year, a total of 2,79,00,000 voters will exercise their franchise in these elections.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commissioner of Odisha Aditya Prasad Padhi said restrictions will be imposed during the election period keeping the Covid-19 situation in view.
“Once the candidates’ lists are finalized, their names will be arranged in order of Odia alphabets and then the symbols will be allotted,” informed Padhi.
“If one symbol was issued for all the posts, it would create a lot of confusion among the voters,” observed a Sarpanch aspirant Suryakant Behera.
Meanwhile, the Congress and BJP demanded that the elections be conducted only after making reservation for OBCs. The Congress said it will take shelter of law.
“We will intensify our strike if the government doesn’t give reservation to OBCs. Agitations would be staged at each district headquarters by January 3 and then it will be held at the State level,” said State president, BJP’s OBC Morcha Surath Biswal.
Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said, “The government should call for immediate Assembly session and pass a resolution to the effect of 27 percent reservation to OBCs with consensus from all parties. Otherwise, we will take shelter in law.”
Urging the Opposition parties to refrain from making politics over the issue, BJD MLA Pramila Mallick said the government is preparing for the elections by following the Orissa High Court’s direction.
The EC has issued as many as 19 free symbols for use in the election of members of Zilla Parishad. Cot, Boy & Girl, Bucket, Letter Box, Drum, Jug Ring and Saw are some of the symbols.
At least 19 symbols have been listed for use in the election of the Samiti by the candidates. These include—Kettle, Stool, Bus, Lock and Key, Spectacles, Hand Fan are some among them.
The EC has issued a total of 26 additional symbols including Banyan Tree, Motor Car, Lantern, Brinjal, Basket, Candles etc for election to the office of Sarpanch.
Similarly, as many as 26 additional symbols have been issued for election to the office of Ward Member while nine additional symbols have been issued by the State EC to use by the candidates for the election to the office of Ward Member.
Briefing the journalists in the aftermath of the brainstorming, senior BJP leader and MP Suresh Pujari informed that the party’s main objective is to secure victory over the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the rural body elections.
“We will be preparing State and regional level manifestoes. Emphasis will be given to make the booth committee stronger. That apart, a list of those who will devout their full time for the elections will also be prepared,” informed the parliamentarian.
“Despite having lesser number of MLAs and MPs in 2017, the party had performed well. In 2022 elections, the party will register a better performance,” claimed the Bargarh MP.
When asked what were the topics discussed in the meeting, Pujari said the discussion focussed on various topics including the contestants to be pitched, the campaign in charges and the design and display of the candidate’s posters and banners.
Notably, the Odisha Chief Election Commissioner had informed on December 15 that an all party meeting would soon be held to discuss the modalities for the conduct of Panchayat elections. The dates of the polls will be announced after the meet, the OCEC had said.
It is worth mentioning that the number of voters has increased this time. While the 2017 election, there were 2.61 crore voters, for the 2022 polls, the number has increased to 2.63 crore.
With barely two months left for the Panchayat elections in Odisha, BJP's 'Mishran Parva' in the home district of the BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is seen as a massive show of strength by the saffron party.
Speaking on the sidelines of the function, State BJP president Samir Mohanty said that several Congress workers left the grand old party and joined the BJP on Wednesday. Besides, hundreds of youths also joined the party today, he said.
Mohanty further said that people are fed up with the ongoing corruption and anarchy prevailing in the State and joining the BJP in large numbers. And, the success of the 'Mishran Parva' is a testimony to the mass reaction, he added.
Many heavyweight leaders of the region joined the BJP today. It proves that people now want to be a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda, said State BJP general secretary, Lekhashree Samantsinghar.
She further alleged that the ruling BJD government in Odisha is mired in corruption and now people want to get rid of the ill-governance and deteriorating law and order situation in the State.
During the upcoming Panchayat polls, the BJP will highlight the achievements of the Modi government and expose how the Naveen government has been misutilising Central funds in the State, the party leaders said.
The court’s order came in response to a petition filed against the reservation list for the upcoming polls issued by the State government recently.
The Panchayati Raj secretary has issued notification regarding the reservation for general, SC/ST, OBC and SEBC categories of candidates for the forthcoming polls.
The petitioner contended that the reservation of candidates should be made in accordance with the ratio of different categories of population living in the State.
Giving example, the petitioner said SC/ST comprise 40 per cent of the total population in the State. Hence, there is need for reservation of 40 per cent of seats for these categories in the rural polls.
The petitioner said the notification issued by the State government has not taken into account this aspect and it is an open violation of guidelines laid down for the Panchayat elections in the State.
The petitioner further argued that the Panchayati Raj secretary does not have the authority to issue the notification regarding the reservation list and the responsibility lies with the State Election Commission.
While asking the SEC to file an affidavit in this regard, the Court has scheduled the next hearing of the matter to December 20.
Despite being in the crosshairs of Opposition parties for the sensational Mamita Meher murder case, the ruling BJD has already taken up several programmes to retain its women vote bank, with the Opposition BJP and Congress trying to woo the fair sex voters to their sides on several issues with the increasing rate of crimes against women being on the top of the list.
With the Panchayat election being round the corner, the BJD has already played its cards by reserving 50 per cent seats in Panchayats. In what seems to be a strategy to woo women SHGs, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced that Mission Shakti members will be appointed as 'Bank Mitras' in Panchayats where there are no branches of banks.
This apart, it has been directed to make it sure that the women SHGs should get more works, and if required, to enhance their wages. Cashing in on the rising price of cooking gas, the BJD has already started sending out message that the saffron party is responsible for this and it is with them, as it always used to be.
Pramilla Mallick, government chief whip, said the Odisha government's announcements are not designed to woo voters as it is being alleged. The party never fears losing its vote banks. It has its faith on its workers and voters intact.
On the other hand, the saffron party is trying to fish in the troubled waters. With a view to get the best out of the Mamita case, it is observing bandhs and rallies across the State. The party leaders are hopeful that the issue will help them perform better in the elections.
Terming the BJD's announcements as nothing but 'lollipops', Prabhati Pardia, BJP leader, said the women will reject the sops as what they want most is their safety and security. PM Narendra Modi's welfare schemes will definitely make a difference in empowering the women, she said.
The Congress party will fight the elections by making ‘women's safety’ and ‘justice’ the prime issues. It alleges both the BJD and BJP are neglecting women. "Both the State and the Central governments have precariously failed in giving women social justice and social security," observed Rashmi Mohapatra, Congress leader.
However, political analysts have a different take in this regard. "In past, there were many incidents that could have been used to topple the government. But the opposition parties failed to make the best use of those. It is to be seen how they will manage to take advantages of the present Mamita issue,” observed veteran journalist Prasanna Mohanty.
Notably, in 2019 general elections, women voters comprised 50 per cent of the total electorates.
The proposal was made during an all-party meeting called by the State Election Commission (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
All major political parties also looked to making the forthcoming Panchayat election alcohol-free.
As per reports, more than 50 representatives of various political parties took part in the meeting chaired by Padhi and gave their proposals for necessary reforms in the election process.
A detailed discussion was held on the limits of election expenditure by the candidates. It has been proposed in the meeting to increase the limit of election expenditures of Sarpanch and Nominee candidates for the upcoming election.
“Many political parties have proposed to increase the election expenditure of Sarpanch and Nominee candidates from Rs 80,000 to Rs 2,00,000. It has also been proposed to increase the amount from Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000 for Zilla Parishad candidates,” said BJD Vice-President Debi Prasad Mishra.
Most of the political parties were unanimous in their opinion to ban liquor seven days ahead of the elections.
“Many kind of disturbances in the election process are happening due to alcohol. So, it has been proposed to ban liquor in the State seven days ahead of the election,” said Ganeswar Behera, senior Congress leader.
It was also emphasised in the meeting to prepare the voters’ list without any mistake before the ensuing elections which is most likely to be held in the beginning of next year.
“The voters’ lists will be prepared before the ensuing election without any mistake. The Electors Photo Identification Card (EPIC) id number of the voters will be added along with their names to the list,” said BJP leader Shankarshana Parida.
Meanwhile, the political parties also proposed to increase the duration of the polling period.
“Usually the voting time was from 7 am to 12 pm. But this time, there will be centralised counting at the block level instead of booths. Most of the political parties were of the view to increase the duration of polling period by two more hours,” said SEC Padhi.
“We have taken note of all the proposals given by the political parties. Accordingly, necessary guidelines will be prepared at the earliest for the smooth conduct of the election process,” said Padhi.
Meanwhile, Collectors have been directed to identify suitable polling centres in their respective districts. They have also been asked to remain prepared for the upcoming Panchayat election which is most likely to be conducted either in February or March 2022.
As per a notification issued by the State Panchayati Raj department, four ZP president posts in the districts of Angul, Khordha, Nayagarh and Sonepur have been reserved for OBC candidates.
At the same time, candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category will be allowed to head the top most tier of the Panchayat Raj system in 4 districts, namely Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Jajpur.
The ZP president posts will remain reserved for unreserved category candidates in the districts of Kendrapara, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Puri, Bolangir and Sambalpur.
On the other hand, the president posts of district councils in Sundargarh, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Koraput, Keonjhar and Kandhamal will remain reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.
The government has also reserved several Zilla Parishad president seats for women candidates. The notice released by the Panchayati Raj department today stated that as many as 15 district councils, the number which is half of all the Zilla Parishads, will remain reserved for women.
The final list of seat reservations has been prepared after disposal of claims and objections by the government following publication of a draft list on October 16.
The scribe-cum-politician has whiffed the prevalence of 'double standards' in CM Naveen Patnaik's political approach. Writing his editorial column 'Ama Ghara Halchal' in his vernacular daily, the Sambad, Soumya terms Dibya Shankar's clarification after nearly three weeks of the ghastly murder as the one that seeds more confusion.
"Even as the minister spelt that the Opposition and certain media houses ran a malicious smear campaign against him as they have an axe to grind, what he seems to have forgotten is an independent inquiry in the murder case will not be possible unless he put down his papers, writes Patnaik.
Lofting the 'double standard' trait in BJD, Patnaik in his column took a rewind to the year 2016 when in the infamous SUM Hospital inferno, CM Naveen Patnaik dropped the then Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
Patnaik writes, "The then Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak had put down his papers on moral ground and high standards of public propriety. He resigned to preserve the image of the party and the government, though he had no role whatsoever in the mishap."
Taking a swipe at Home Minister's "helplessness', Soumya writes, "While a common man takes refuge in God whenever he feels helpless, one is perplexed to find out what had made a Minister helplessness.".
Taking the bull by horns, Soumya Patnaik had dropped a veiled warning to the government over the loss of mass appeal in the case if no action is forthcoming as he likened it to the sensational Anjana Mishra rape in the year 1999 when JB Patnaik was the CM of Odisha. Soumya Patnaik is a son-in-law of veteran politician JB Patnaik.
"Everyone knows what happened during the Congress' JB Patnaik's rule two decades ago when the government then dithered over taking action against the then Advocate General Indrajit Ray following allegations over his links in the infamous Anjana Mishra rape case," writes Patnaik.
He further writes, " Media apart from following the ethics of journalism should also strive to ensure transparent governance." "Rightful media can never be enemies of powers that be, rather they should be considered as friends. Showing tolerance to right media will not tarnish the image of the party, but erase the negative vibes that will heap disgrace," counsels Soumya in his column.
Political Repartees Over Soumya's Column On Soumya's persistent swipes over 'all is not well' in BJD's home affairs, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik, who is the elder brother of Soumya Patnaik, refused to react. But didn't forget to drop a one-liner, " I called it quits after the court wrote a single line against me in 1985."
Similarly, Congress lawmaker Tara Bahinipati while welcoming the critical takes by Soumya Patnaik, took a jibe by saying that the BJD will not be going to give tickets to Soumya babu in the next election.
"Undoubtedly, he had flabbergasted the ruling BJD with the hard truths. It remains to be seen when will he come under the radar of Vigilance," Bahinipati made a tongue-in-cheek remark.
Amid a state-wide backlash over inadequate representation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the other posts in the three-tier elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions, the Odisha government has allotted four (4) Zilla Parishad president posts to OBCs.
As per the draft list published by the government, the four districts reserved for OBCs include Angul, Keonjhar, Khordha and Gajapati.
Similarly, Zilla Parishad president posts of 12 districts namely Kalahandi, Kendrapara, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Nuapada, Puri, Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Sambalpur will see candidates from unreserved categories fight it out to the top most tier of the Panchayat Raj system.
The government has notified 4 districts-- Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Bhadrak-- for Scheduled Caste category.
Likewise, the remaining 10 districts Kandhamal, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nayagarh, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Sundargarh and Sonepur have been booked for Scheduled Tribe candidates.
The State government has reserved 50% of all ZP chief posts for women candidates.
As per the modalities for reservation of seats and offices of the Panchayati Raj institutions, candidates can file objections against the allotment of reservations by October 24 (5 pm) by mailing online over (dir-pr.od@gov.in or prsec.or@nic.in).
The list will be finalized on October 29 and the final list will be submitted before the State Election Commission (SEC) on October 30.
Reports collated from various places in Bhadrak, Bargarh, and from Malkangiri to Mayurbhanj, voices of dissent against neglect to OBCs reservations in the draft list for Zilla Parishad posts have warmed the State politics.
As per the draft lists published from all the 30 districts, there has not been any reservation for OBCs in Zilla Parishad member posts in six districts namely Sambalpur, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Jharsuguda and Gajapati.
This apart, there is just a single reserved seat for Zilla Parishad member post in each of the three districts- Malkangiri, Boudh and Deogarh.
In the three big districts of Cuttack, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj, while the total number of seats is more than 50, the number of seats reserved for backward classes has touched double digits.
Abani Mahanta, a member of Baripada OBC Mancha, an outfit fighting for the rights of the backward classes, said that Odisha government must implement the 27% quota guidelines for the OBCs as has been decreed by the Supreme Court of India.
"If the government cannot ensure that, then we would urge it to take away our rights of universal adult franchise," rued Mahanta.
Similarly, Madhav Pandey, a local resident belonging to OBC has condemned the move by the government. "Do OBCs have no aspirations, representations in society ? I am really shocked at the development," said Pandey.
Meanwhile, the scenario has spurred the Opposition political parties to target the ruling BJD.
Congress MLA Suresh Routray termed the issue as neglect and an insult to the backward classes.
BJP too has lambasted the BJD and warned to take legal course if the draft lists are not revised to give adequate representations to the OBCs.
Surath Biswal, President of BJP OBC Morcha said backward classes are being deprived of their Constitutional rights. "In the last five urban and Panchayat body polls, OBCs were given 27% quota. So we don't understand why they were not given enough representations this time around," said Biswal.
However, the Biju Janata Dal has assured that even though adequate reservations could not be provisioned for the OBCs at the governmental level, it will ensure 27% quota for the backward classes at the party level as per the promises laid out by the BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
According to the calendar of events laid out for reservation of seats, the final lists will be released to the State Election Commission after due disposal of claims and objections by the district administrative heads.
The State government has been directed to finish the entire process of finalising reservations by October 30. The process for preparation of voter list will be initiated after finalization of the reservation process.
Odisha has a total of 853 Zilla Parishad zones and 6800 Panchayats.
The lists which are being published at the district level will specify the quota attached for each post of Ward Member, Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti Member, Block Chairman and Zilla Parishad Member across the State.
Candidates willing to object the allotment of reservation for the posts of Ward Member, Sarpanch, Samiti Member and Block Chairman can file claims by October 16.
The disposal of the claims shall be done by the Collectors at the district level by October 21. The final list of reservation will be published on October 26.
Likewise, candidates can also file objections against the reservation in the draft list for Zilla Parishad posts which is also being released today. Claims and objections in such cases will be entertained till October 18.
Collectors have been empowered to dispose the claims by October 22. The government will approve the reservation list on October 29 which will be followed by the communication of the final list to the State Election Commission on October 30.
The State government will also publish the draft reservation list for the Zilla Parishad President posts on October 16. The list will be finalized on October 29 and the final list will be submitted before the SEC on October 30.
SEC Secretary Rabindra Nath Sahoo said the process for preparation of voter list will be initiated after finalization of the reservation process on October 30.
The entire process for preparation of voter list will take around one to two months, said Sahoo.
The State Panchayati Raj department has issued a directive to the administrative heads of all districts to accelerate the preparations for the elections on a priority basis.
Collectors in the districts have been asked to complete the reservation of seats as per the PRI/Act Rules and send the final list to the State Election Commission by October 30.
“I am directed to say that the General Elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) is likely to be held in the State in 2022. Consequent upon reservation of seats is required to be completed within the timeframe at the level of District/Government as per the provision of the PRI Act/Rules,” the Director of Panchayati Raj department Gyana Das stated in his letter to all Collectors.
According to the calendar of events laid out for reservation of seats, the draft publication in respect of Ward Member/Sarpanch and PS member/Chairman will be released by the Collectors on October 8. Inviting of claims and objections and disposal of the same should be completed by October 16 and 21, respectively.
As per the Sub-Rule 4 of Rule 3 of OGP Election Rules, 1965, candidates can file objections within 7 days of the draft publications.
The final list should be dispatched to the State Election Commission (SEC) on October 26.
In the case of Zilla Parishad members, the government has fixed the date for draft publication as October 8. Invitation of claims and objections should be completed by October 18 while disposal of the same can be finished by October 22. Rule 6 of OZP (DRC) Rules, 1995 provides 10 days for candidates to file objections.
The government will approve the reservation list on October 29 which will be followed by the communication of the final list by the government to SEC on October 30.
Lastly, for Zilla Parishad President posts, the State government will publish the draft list on October 16. Dates for finalization of publication and communication of the list to the SEC have been fixed on October 26 and 29.
Numerous speculations are said to be doing rounds on the possible reasons behind the mass exit of the party leaders.
As per sources, a ruckus erupted during the 11th meeting of the Zilla Parishad today when the president of the Council stopped a crucial meeting midway while discussions were underway on various departments.
Later in the evening, a number of BJP members congregated at a hotel and announced their resignation from the post and also the primary membership of the party during a press briefing.
The outgoing members openly expressed their resentment against the Zilla Parishad president and accused her of working as per her own whims and fancies.
Speaking on the development, a resigning member claimed that they have always been neglected by BJP. We are extremely sad to say we are parting ways with the party, she said.
However, Mayurbhanj Zilla Parishad president Sujata Murmu has clarified that the members have been suspended over indiscipline and anti-party activities in 2019.
"The members were involved in anti-party activities during the 2019 General Elections and had never been true to BJP. They were infact never truly been in the party since then. Lured by the ruling-BJD with offers anything between Rs 5 to 10 lakh, the members had not even shown reluctance from campaigning against own party," said Murmu
Mayurbhanj District BJP unit president Kandara Soren said that the mass resignation of the members will have no impact on the party in any way. "Infact, it bodes well for BJP because they were a nuisance for the party and had never been with the people at the grassroots and neither with the leaders at the top, said Soren.
The meeting chaired by former Panhayati Raj minister and senior party leader Raghunath Mohanty was attended by State president Sameer Mohanty, general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan and Manas Kumar Mohanty.
In the meeting it was decided that the party would carry out a mass outreach programme in near future to encourage and inspire the leaders and supporters at the grassroot level.
Discussions over strategies to floor the BJD-led government over its anti-people policies will be held tomorrow during the two day meet.
Popularising the Central schemes among people in Odisha would be the key agenda of the meeting, said Shankar Parida, State Coordinator of BJP Panhayati Raj committee.
“The BJP will tour villages in order to make people aware about the powers of the people and their representative at the grassroots level. The party will expose the State government’s massive scams and irregularities in the implementation of major welfare schemes. The BJP will explain to people how the BJD government is taking away the powers of the local representatives,” he added.
The party has prepared an elaborate strategy to expose the State government’s plans to suppress the powers of the people’s representatives.
Representatives from Panahayat levels have been invited to the meeting today which aimed at cornering the corrupt face of the State government, he pointed out.
The State BJP has geared up for the three-tier Panahayat polls scheduled to be held in February next year.
The move comes after the State Election Commission recently gave a green signal for conducting the polls.
The Commission had asked the Odisha Government to take necessary measures for delimitation of wards and reservations.
According to sources, Muniguda Zilla Parishad member Ramchandra Behera had shown his vote to the agent of the Congress party rather than showing it to his own party agent during the 2017 panchayat elections.
However, the BJD Zilla Parishad member Gangadhar Puala opposed it and filed a petition at Rayagada District and Sessions Judge Court alleging violation of election rules.
The court made the hearing under the new amendment act and declared the election of the Zilla Parishadpresident post as invalid. The court has also directed for a by-election to the post.
“According to law, no one can show their vote to the candidate. As they have showed their vote and violated the secret ballot system the court has declared nullified the election to the Zilla Parishad president post,” lawyer of the petitioner, Braja Sunder Nayak said.
On the other hand Zilla Parishad president Purusottam Gamang has informed that he will challenge the decision in a higher court.
“The court has accepted the petition of Gangadhar Puala but we will challenge the order in the High Court.” Gamang’s advocate Maheswar Rao said.
Samiti Member election had not been held in these panchayats following a stay order of the Court.
The voting commenced from 9 am and will continue till 12 noon. 128 booths have been set up for a total of 37,421 voters while there are 26 competitors for the post. Police force has been deployed at the booths to check any untoward incident.
Notably, six petitions had been registered in the High Court citing that reservation of seats in the current panchayat polls was over 50 percent. Following this the court had pronounced an interim stay order on conducting the elections at various blocks.
''I have been tirelessly working for improvement of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the past 20 years in Odisha and criticized by several BJD leaders for creating an ‘unwarranted’ fuss,'' Panda told a National News Agency in an exclusive interview.
“BJD had a setback in the panchayat elections. The party president Naveen Patnaik had made public announcement that introspection was necessary. The article I wrote was also written in the same context as I am among the very few people who were there with the founder president 20 years ago when the party was founded,” Panda said.
Reacting to the BJD supremo’s directive to refrain from speaking or expressing views on public platforms, Panda said the leaders are expressing thoughts after introspection at the right fora. ''It is not just me but the BJD parliamentary party chief in Lok Sabha Bhatruhari Mahtab has also been outspoken,'' Panda added.
''There is lot of murmur all around the party and it was important that the party leader should hear all of it. He (Naveen) has started taking steps, some of them are good and others may require little more attention.''
“I am trying for my party to heal itself. BJD is the party with whom I have deep connection right from founding days. There are some issues which are not dealt with by the leadership. If by this process such issues can be sorted out, I respect the decision,” Panda added.
BJD said Baijayant went beyond his party position. “He did not play his role properly as a party spokesman and mentioned many views regarding party in his tweeter page. Now, he can tweet as much as he wants as he is no more a spokesperson,” BJD vice-president Surya Narayan Patro said.
Meanwhile, BJP is trying to cash in on the recent controversy in the regional party. Pointing finger at Damodar Rout, the saffron party said why action is not taken against the Agriculture minister for giving similar statement. “The statement made by Damodar Rout is not considered wrong in BJD unlike Baijayant Babu,” BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said.
The Agriculture minister said he has never gone against the party like Baijayant Panda. “His arguments might be based on some facts. But, he should not forget that he is within a party and should not make any statements which could put party in trouble,” Rout added.
Of the 16 Congress MLAs, many have demanded a reshuffle in PCC level and wished to see return of former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik as the next PCC chief. They claimed that Patnaik has the potential of reviving the grand old party after the panchayat poll debacle.
"We strongly recommend Niranjan Babu for PCC chief and will apprise the high command about our decision", Ansuman Mohanty said.
Jeypore legislator Tara Prasad Bahinipati also echoed similar sentiments. ''Beginning from panchayat level to PCC chief, there is an urgent need of change in leadership. We will raise the matter unitedly in the meeting with top authority", Bahinipati added.
However, Patnaik has a different say on it. "I would think hundred times if I was offered the post of PCC president. Our first priority is to strengthen the base", he added.
On the other hand, some MLAs will bat against the intra-party squabble. "I do not want a change in the leadership. My only aim is to strengthen the party and ensure victory by defeating BJD", MLA Naba Das said.
Though the Petroleum minister stated that he prayed for the State, it is said that his visit is the beginning of BJP’s ground work to capture the Ganjam district. The national party had performed dismally in recently concluded zilla parishad elections. "I offered prayer to the goddess for Odisha’s development”, Pradhan said after having darshan.
Local wing of the saffron party considered the minister's visit as a move to spread a message that the national party always sticks with common people through thick and thin."We want to give a message that BJP is always a partner in the life of common people. The party has always been a part of this community religious fair", a local BJP leader- Kanhucharan- said.
BJP national president Amit Shah's scheduled visit to the coastal district in June also clearly sent the message to the public that the party is on the prowl to grab the BJD bastion.
BJD, on the other hand, averred that it will continue to maintain its supremacy on the district. "Ganjam is a BJD bastion. We are strong enough there as people have faith in the leadership of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. We believe in developmental work and are least concerned about anybody's visit to the district for any purpose", said Pradeep Panigrahi, a local BJD MLA and State’s Higher Education minister.
Speculation began that BJP has commenced its ground work with the darshan of goddess Budhi Thakurani to capture the southern district. The national party had managed to acquire only four zilla parishad seats while BJD captured as many as 63 zones out of total 69 in the district.
''I do not think there is any truth in this. But if there is any, I will look into it,'' Patnaik said.
On being asked if the BJP is likely to come to power in 2019 Odisha election, he said, ''it is the wishful thinking of the saffron party.''
During the discussion with the panchayat-level representatives, based on the review of panchayat poll results, Patnaik instructed them to reach people at grassroots and work whole-heartedly.