Maoist call to boycott Panchayat polls in 3 South Odisha dists

Rayagada: Ahead of the first phase Panchayat elections scheduled to begin in Odisha from February 13, the Maoists have urged the people in three South Odisha districts to boycott the elections.

In an audio tape circulated in the media, top Maoist leader of Bansadhara-Nagabali-Ghumsar Division of the CPI-Communist outfit, Umakant has urged the people of Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts to boycott the Panchayat elections.

Launching a broadside against three leading parties—BJD, BJP and the Congress—the Maoist leader has said the ruling BJD government, which has given false promises to the people, is involved in the mining, chit fund and water scams while the BJP government at the Centre has grossly failed in its demonetisation drive. “Besides, the saffron party has been able to provide employment to only two lakh youths as against the two crore youths it had promised earlier,” he pointed out.

Besides, the Maoist leader said the Congress has the longest stint at the Centre during which there has been significant rise in corruption in the country.