Politics is no more a dirty game as it is often believed by the masses. The 2022 Panchayat Elections in Odisha is striving to change the wind of the Rajneeti.
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)