Penthapala panchayat by-poll today; four candidates in fray

Kendrapara: By-election for the post of sarpanch in Penthapala gram panchayat of Kendrapara district will be held today. The post has been reserved for women. As many as four candidates are in the fray.

Marua Mallick and Pramila Mallick have claimed that they have been supported by Congress while Babita Mallick claimed that BJD is backing her. Similarly, Puspalata Jena said she is contesting the poll with BJP support.

Around 6,000 voters from six revenue villages and 18 wards in the panchayat will exercise their franchise.

The by-poll was necessitated following resignation of Babita Tarai as sarpanch. Babita, who is the wife of Kendrapara MLA Kishore Tarai, had won the election unopposed. In a bid to ensure smooth victory, her legislator husband had allegedly hatched a conspiracy against other candidates and forced them to withdraw their nominations . Later, under pressure from the Chief Minister, Babita had resigned.