Odisha Elections 2024: Villagers corner BJD candidates with questions on basic issues

The ruling Biju Janata Dal(BJD) candidates and leaders are being reportedly cornered by the electorate seeking answers on the development works done in their respective areas.  Candidates had to face embarrassing situations in Sundargarh, Koraput and Rayagada. 

An unfortunate incident was reported from Muniguda in Rayagada. Law Minister and BJD candidate for Bissamcuttack, Jagannath Saraka was campaigning at Raghubari village on Sunday when a youth BJD leader accompanying him allegedly attacked one person and abused the villagers, who raised the issue of drinking water crisis in the area.    

As per reports, Raghubari village, inhabited by 225 families, is facing a shortage of drinking water even though the village has five tube wells and a drinking water project under the Basudha scheme. Villagers alleged that four tube wells are defunct while the drinking water project fails to deliver for months together. 

However, the BJD workers and supporters countered the villagers by creating a ruckus. At that time, youth BJD leader Dhirendra Panigrahi allegedly pushed and attacked a youth in the village. 

Two complaints were filed by both sides at Ambadala Police Station on Monday.   

Raghunath, a villager said, “We asked the minister about basic problems like water and they attacked us.”

Chanchala Behera, a woman of the village said, “We went to the minister about our water problems, but his supporters attacked.”

Dhirendra Panigrahi said, "The villagers detained the vehicle of the minister and tried to make a video of the incident. They suddenly raised the water issue. The gathering was politically motivated.” 

Here is another incident that took place at Bhaluguda in Kenduguda Panchayat under the Boipariguda block of Koraput district.

BJD’s MLA nominee and sitting MLA, Raghuram Podal faced an embarrassing situation at the village when residents asked why he set his foot in the village to seek votes when their basic problems like road connectivity and electricity have not been sorted over the years. 
Podal said, "Some mischievous people are doing such things. They come and go.”     

In another case, BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate for Sundargarh, Dilip Tirkey and the party’s MLA candidate for Talasara Assembly seat, Bijay Toppo had to face opposition at Kilkila village of Sagabahal panchayat recently while the two leaders were seeking votes. 

As Dilip highlighted the achievements of the Odisha government, people barraged him with questions on basic issues and amenities. The two leaders had no way out but to leave the place in embarrassment.  

Bhubaneswar Kale, a local said, "I just asked the MP candidate about the road which is in bad shape.”