Taunt By Winner’s Supporters Drives Losing Woman Candidate In Bhadrak Attempt Suicide, Husband Dies

A man, whose wife lost the Panchayat elections in Odisha recently, allegedly died by suicide after his wife attempt to end her life at a village in Padmapur Panchayat, under Basudevpur Block in Bhadrak district, on Sunday. 

It has been alleged that the couple took the extreme step after they were taunted by the supporters of the victorious candidate.

The deceased has been identified as Ramakant Parida while his wife Sumati is battling for life at the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack.

According to the deceased’s family members, Sumati unsuccessfully contested for Samiti member post from Padmapur Panchayat in the recently concluded Panchayat polls. She had contested as an independent candidate.  The winning candidate took out a victory procession Sunday evening. While the procession was passing in front of her house, the supporters of the victorious candidate allegedly passed comments at her husband, Ramakant. 

Ramakant took the remarks to heart and scolded his wife on her decision to contest the elections. Unable to bear with the winning candidate’s taunts and her husband’s scolding, Sumati allegedly consumed poison. Seeing his wife’s condition, a traumatised Ramakant hanged himself from the ceiling of the house, reports stated. 

Family members immediately rushed the couple to the district headquarters hospital (DHH). But it was too late by then. The doctors declared Ramakant received dead. Sumati was then shifted to the SCBMCH where she is undergoing treatment at present. 

Meanwhile, Ramakanta’s father lodged a police complaint following which the police have launched an investigation. 

The winning candidate is yet to come up with his reactions on the tragic turn of events for which his supporters have been blamed.