LIVE TV
Odisha
Photo: OTV
Recommended Stories
Several Ministers, legislators and veteran leaders inked their left index finger at polling booths in their respective areas that witnessed the first phase of Panchayat elections on Wednesday.
Nabarangpur MP Ramesh Majhi and Jharigaon MLA Prakash Chandra Majhi were seen standing in queues with voters at booth no-2 set up at Dandamunda UP School in Chandahandi Block, waiting for their turn to cast votes.
After exercising their franchise, they urged the people to mandatorily cast their vote.
“Like any average citizen, I exercised my voting right today. Since the Panchayati Raj system plays a pivotal role in rural governance, I urge all to use their voting right,” said Ramesh Majhi.
Similarly, senior BJD leader Pradeep Majhi was also seen standing in queue while waiting for his turn to cast vote at a booth set up at Taliamba Government UP School in Jharigaon of Nabarangpur district. Stepping out of the booth, he flashed his inked finger.
Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari voted at a booth at Rampur village under Dunguripali block in Subarnapur district. MLA Pritam Padhi exercised his voting right at a booth in Ward no-13 at Pakajhola village under Semiliguda Block in Koraput district.
Law Minister Pratap Jena was spotted with his family members at a booth in Alijoda village under Mahanga block in Cuttack district. He along with his wife and daughter cast their votes. Likewise, senior BJD leader and Bhograi MLA Ananta Das and Water Resources Minister Raghunandan Das also exercised their franchise at Kuruthia under Bhograi block in Balasore district and Balisahi Primary School under Balikuda block in Jagatsinghpur district, respectively.
After casting his vote, Minister Das said the Panchayat elections are meant for decentralization of power. It provides the common man an opportunity to solve their problem in grass root level. “Therefore, there is a need for us to use our democratic right,” he said.
